Let’s be honest, the only sound we want to hear from our toilet is the flushing sound. Nothing else. And when you hear your toilet or water lines gurgling, well – that’s something you don’t want to hear. Blockages and backups are no fun and we all hope that you never have to deal with them, but alas – they’re are a part of the reality of owning a septic tank from time to time.
Gurgling sounds aren’t good news, but there are different levels of ‘bad news’ associated with the sound – ranging from fairly straight-forward fixes to potential catastrophe. Today, we’re going to discuss a few of the reasons your septic tank could be gurgling and of course – what you should be doing. Let’s jump right in.
Blocked drains
Most of the time, gurgling sounds are due to obstructed drainage. That means something is in there clogging your pipes and the gurgling sound is directly related to the slow flow you’re getting in your pipes. This is a gurgling sound that can actually sound really, really bad – much worse than it actually is. Either way, this is going to require a call to your septic tank pro. Most of the time this can be fixed with a plumbing snake, but for deeper blockages, only the professionals will have the tools to fix the problem.
Blocked pipes
Another issue associated with gurgling noises is blockage between the pipes that connect your home’s plumbing system to the actual septic system itself. When this happens, your drains might actually function properly on a given day; but the increase in water will eventually back up and cause problems.
A full septic tank
While it’s not that common, sometimes gurgling sounds are occurring as a result of your septic tank being full. This means it’s time to get it pumped and cleaned! The problem here after all – is pretty straight forward: the tank is full and wastewater can’t squeeze in and flow the way it should. We recommend that you get your septic tank pumped every 1-2 years. This is something you can’t be relaxed about. The problems that can arise from a full septic tanks are not problems you want to deal with or pay for, so call your local septic tank pro and get the tank pumped.
So what do I do?
While there are some DIY remedies out there, we really don’t recommend them. It’s best you call a professional. When it comes to septic tanks, the extent of a problem can often go beyond what you see, yourself and having a professional check your system will insure you’re not re-addressing an issue or potentially passing over another by doing it yourself.
If your commercial or residential septic tank is gurgling, give us a call and we’ll be happy to provide you with a free consultation. Good luck!