Septic tanks are not something you want to mess around with. They are your own personal sewage plant that you are responsible for, so when it's time to have it pumped out, you need to have it pumped out. Not doing so when it's time and waiting could leave you with quite a mess on your hands (and everywhere for that matter). If you aren't sure when to have your tank pumped out, read on for information to help you.

Keep Track Of Your Records

Keeping track of when it was done last can be helpful in understanding when it should  be done again. Not everyone's tanks fill up the same way, this all depends on how many people are in your household and how much waste you have coming out of your home. A good rule of thumb on pumping your tank is to have it done at least every three to five years. It can be easy to lose track of this information during this time period. Be sure to keep track of the information in the event you have forgotten in what year you had it done last.

Watch For Issues

You don't want to wait until you begin to have issues, but if you've lost track of when it was done last or you're new to your household, you should keep an eye out for problems. Things such as drainage issues, slow flushing or slow draining, as well as noises coming from the drains are all signs to watch out for. You may also have backups coming back in from the drain, which is a time when you need to call someone to pump your septic tank immediately to prevent a major backup in your home. Other issues to watch out for includes a flooded septic field, or foul odors inside or outside of your home. 

If you suspect you have a full septic tank, or think that it needs to be emptied, you should call a professional septic pumping company like Autry's Backhoe & Septic Service to have this done. Don't wait until you end up with a major problem that will require a hazardous waste cleanup - which can be costly. If you aren't sure if your tank needs to be emptied, you can call a pumping company to inspect your tank as well. You are responsible for your septic tank, be sure you take care of it properly, or it's you who will have to pay for any issues caused by a septic backup.