Realizing that your septic tank needs to be pumped may have you asking yourself some questions you hadn’t previously considered, such as, “Can I shower if my septic tank is full?” Suddenly, activities that you don’t normally give much thought to can take on a whole new level of importance. Allow the team from Acme to provide the answer to this question today.
Over the course of a typical year, you probably don’t think twice about running your sink, taking a shower, or using your washing machine. But when you find out that your septic tank is full, the question, “Can I shower if my septic tank is full?” becomes more urgent – and it’s a good thing you’re asking – before finding out the hard way. You may have discovered your tank reached capacity if you noticed any of the following signs:
Foul odors around your septic tank or drain field
Gurgling sounds in your pipes
Pooling water over your drain field
Drains in your home that work more slowly than usual
Wastewater backing up into your home
If you’ve been told that your septic tank needs to be pumped ASAP, you may be wondering if it’s still safe to take a shower. It’s a common question, and one we’re here to help you answer clearly.
How Septic Tanks Reach Capacity
With everyday use, wastewater from the sinks, showers, and toilets in your home flows into your septic tank. Even though your septic tank is continuously working to break down and treat the waste, accumulation still takes place over time, even in healthy, well-maintained septic systems.
Accumulation of wastewater and solid and liquid waste only becomes a problem when tanks aren’t pumped on time.
How Often Should Septic Tanks Be Pumped?
For most types of septic systems, it is recommended that they be pumped once every 3-5 years. The frequency at which you pump your septic tank may vary depending on:
How often it is being used
The size of your tank
The number of people in your household
Weather-related events such as heavy rain and flooding
The general condition of your tank
For most homeowners, following the 3- to 5-year pump-out schedule will be enough to avoid issues. However, unexpected events, particularly during Florida’s storm season, may necessitate more frequent pump-outs.
Can I Shower If My Septic Tank Is Full?
Unfortunately, the answer to this question is “no” you cannot shower if your septic tank is full. If you already know that your tank is full but haven’t noticed any of the common warning signs (like foul odors, wastewater backing up into your home, or pooling water over your drain field), using dishwashers, washing machines, or showering, can trigger them.
We realize that it can be a huge inconvenience to put daily activities like showering or washing clothes on hold, but this is one of the many reasons why we stress the importance of regular septic maintenance over and over again.
How To Find Out When Your Tank Needs To Be Pumped
If you’re not sure when your septic tank was last pumped or you just moved into a new home and don’t have a record of its last pump-out, scheduling an inspection with one of our qualified professionals can help provide the answers you need.
Stay Ahead Of Septic Trouble With Acme
If you’re already asking the question, “Can I shower if my septic tank is full?” It’s probably an appropriate time to give the pros from Acme a call.
Contact us today for efficient, expert-level pump-outs, inspections, and more.
