Because septic tanks on most residential properties are underground, it's easy to forget they exist. In fact, even homeowners who are particularly diligent about home upkeep may not remember to have their septic tank inspected regularly. If you're wondering when the time is right for an inspection of your property's septic tank, keep reading for just three of the most common reasons.

A Muddy Yard

If your normally dry front or back yard has become gradually soggier over the course of the past few weeks or months, the culprit may be a broken septic tank. While there are several other reasons why you may notice more mud in a certain part of your yard than you used to, continuing to put off a call to septic tank inspectors can wreak irreversible damage on your yard. If caught early, septic tank overflow can be stopped, and your yard will likely look as good as new.

Slow Drainage

Another fairly obvious sign that your septic tank needs to be checked is slow drainage. If you have noticed your drains not working as efficiently as they have in the past, you may want to first check for basic clogging caused by hair, dirt, or other debris. If you cannot locate clogs in the pipes with a drain snake or similar tool, then the septic tank may be to blame. It may need to be pumped in order to get your pipes back in working order. More often than not, if you know that your septic tank has not been pumped in three to five years, this is likely the case. 

Purchasing a Home

It is never a good idea to be reactive when it comes to septic tanks. Put another way, don't wait until your septic tank is completely backed up or overflowing in order to have it inspected. In fact, the ideal time to have a septic tank inspected is before you first buy a home. While the burden of paying for the inspection will almost certainly fall on you (and not the seller), a simple inspection can save time, money, and a lot of headaches. You may also request documentation for recent septic tank inspections if they happen to have been done within the last few years. If the homeowner has ignored their tank for several years, it is almost always a good idea to have a proactive inspection performed and to act immediately on any information that comes from it. 

For more information, contact a local septic tank service.

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