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Can I Shower If My Septic Tank Is Full?
A septic tank is a type of wastewater treatment that includes a tank or chamber attached to the drain field of a home’s or building’s sewage system.
The tank allows solids and liquids to settle and removes the liquid (a greywater system), the sludge produced by oxidation, or any remaining biological “sludge” from this process.
If your septic tank is full, you should only use water in your home once you empty the tank and inspect the system to ensure there are no issues you need to repair.
Showering could cause the septic system to become overwhelmed and potentially cause sewage to back up into your home or yard. Water pumping into your septic system causes solids to break up and flow back through the leach lines and into your home.
This is especially important on the West Coast, where rain is much more common than on the East Coast.
Below are more reasons why it is not a good idea to shower, wash dishes, or run the washing machine when your septic tank is full:
- Water pumping into your septic system causes solids to break up and flow back through the leach lines and into your home.
- Using water in your home will cause the tank to become more susceptible to backup, which will lead to the potential for sewage coming back into your home or yard.
- Using water in your home can cause a problem known as “flushing events,” which make your septic tank work harder than it should have, potentially leading to a backup.
- Flushing or washing dishes can cause the chemicals in the dish soap to melt plastic waste-line pipes, leading to a sewage backup in your home.
- Washing machines and toilets use water, which can cause them to get clogged up due to excess sediment.
How To Tell If Your Septic Tank Is Too Full
| Factor | Explanation |
| Gurgling Sounds from The Toilet | You will hear gurgling sounds from the toilet if you flush something other than toilet paper. You might hear howling or bubbling noises, particularly if you overfill the tank. Gurgling sounds almost always indicate that the tank is complete and has started overflowing into the drainage pipes or septic field. |
| Stinky Bathroom or Drains | You may notice a foul odor from the toilet, drains, or basement if the tank is full. If you see a sewage smell in your bathroom but no sewage backup, it may be a sign that the septic tank is too full and has started overflowing into drainage pipes. |
| Slow Drains | If your drain pipes are slow to empty and take a long time to clear, you might have a sewage problem in the house. However, if the pipes are slow but you don’t have any sewage smell, it’s possible that the tank is too full and overflowing into the drainage pipes. |
| Water Near the Septic Tank | You may notice water near the septic tank if it’s in the yard. If the tank is leaking, it will cause water to accumulate around it. |
| Septic Tank Lid Bulging | The lid of your septic tank might bulge if there is too much weight, and it can no longer contain the waste inside. You will also notice this if you try to close the lid and it doesn’t stay closed. |
| Septic Tank Smell | If you can smell sewage in the septic tank when you open the lid, it’s a sign that it’s too full. The smell is usually decisive for the first few minutes. |
How Septic Tank Works
When wastewater enters the septic tank, it usually enters through a pipe at the bottom. At this point, water drops through a hole, and you disperse it into gravel-filled chambers.
The size of these chambers depends on the actual dimensions of your septic system. The gravel serves several purposes. First, it acts as a filter for the water as it percolates.
In addition, it creates a settling area for solids that are heavier than water and cannot seep into the surrounding soil.
When wastewater percolates through the gravel bed, several things happen to that water before it can flow out of your property.
Most important is what is happening to the bacteria in your septic tank.
As the water percolates through the gravel bed, it carries with it all sorts of bacteria and other microscopic organisms that, once in contact with clay soil, become food for the bacteria.
As water passes through the tank, you introduce bacteria to the clay in your septic tank, which feeds on the materials contained in your wastewater.
Eventually, you excrete these nutrients by a layer of aerobic bacteria known as “the sludge.”
This aerobic microorganism acts as a filter as well. It is this layer of aerobic bacteria that cleans out the tank. The bad news, however, is you can’t see this layer.
Instead, the solids in your wastewater (i.e., human waste) create it.
Because of this layer of bacteria and other organisms, septic tanks effectively remove waste from a property and produce enough liquid waste to function as a backup water supply.
What Happens If You Don’t Empty the Septic Tank?
| Factor | Explanation |
| Septic Tank Will Fill Up & Overflow | -Conduct annual inspection. -Locate high spots in the tank & fix. -Inspect all surrounding areas for clues before having to dig. |
| Clogging Of The Drain Field | -Wash out the drain field. -Replace clogged screens or pipes. |
| Gas Buildup | -Conduct annual inspection. -Inspect all surrounding areas for clues before digging to clean pipe, patch with rubber material, etc. |
| Contamination Of Groundwater | -Check all septic tanks in the neighborhood. -Perform testing of groundwater. -Check groundwater quality. |
| Pollution Of Surface Water | -Check out the condition of the sewage treatment plant located in the neighborhood. |
| Spread Of Disease | -Do not dump tissue in the toilet. -Donate digested material to the local garden center. -Compost it in your backyard. -Treat human waste before dumping it into surface water sources. |
How Much Does It Cost to Empty A Septic Tank Near Me?
| Type | Cost |
| Anaerobic Digester Septic Tanks | $29.00-$299.00 |
| Dual Media Septic Tanks | $250 and $400 |
| Septic Tank Domes | $287 and $555 |
| Septic Tanks with Seepage Pits | $3,600 |
| Syphon Jetted Septic Tanks | $300 to $1,000 |
| Wet Well Septic Tanks | $282 and $525 |
| Low-Profile Septic Tank System | £80 to £400 |
| Portable Septic Tanks | $80 and $760 |
| Steel Septic Tank | $270 and $390 |
| Tankless Waterless Systems | $150 and $250 |
| Custom Septic Tank | $75 and $200 |
| Fiberglass Septic Tank | $250 to $600 |
| Plastic Septic Tank | £80-£300 |
How Many Slopes for Septic Line?
The type of slope that you need depends on the type of soil and the size of the pipe you are using.
The easiest way to determine your slope is to see how much the pipes go downhill. If it’s between 5-60% downhill, use 45 degrees.
For soil with a slope smaller or greater than 50 degrees, it’s usually better to dig up and replace the soil.
However, if you try to avoid getting wet feet while walking in your yard, 2 degrees of variance might be sufficient to keep the water away.
With a 2-degree variance, you may need to bury a layer of gravel where the pipe exits to prevent water damage. Please be careful when choosing the slope for your septic line.
There is also an issue with the consistency of the soil. The best method is to have it tested by professionals and then use that information to determine your slope.
And remember, the grass is sometimes not enough to help keep water away from the pipe.
In some states, for example, you should put a layer of gravel where the pipe exits and have a layer of rock on top of the sand when possible. The rock will help prevent the sandy soil from washing downhill.
What Not To Flush If You Have A Septic Tank?
| Reason | Examples |
| Industrial Waste | Syringes, razor blades, batteries. |
| Poisonous or Infectious Waste | Feces, human waste. |
| Fertilizer and Chemical Containers | Weed killer, herbicide. |
| Trash and Debris from the Construction Site | Leftover cement and wood scraps from building sites. Construction debris of any kind (fences, trash cans). This can include soil as well as rocks that you take out of the ground for construction projects like building condos. |
| Cooking oils and grease | Fat and oil from the kitchen. |
| Paper Products | Coffee filters, tissues, paper towel rolls, etc. |
| Pet Waste | Cat litter and dog feces. |
| Wipes, cotton balls, baby wipes | Disposable wipes (non-sanitary), |
How Do I Know If My Septic Line Is Clogged? – How To Fix
| Factor | Explanation | How to Fix |
| Slow-Draining Sinks Or Toilets | Slow-draining sinks or toilets are a sign that your septic line is clogged. This may also be accompanied by a foul odor in your bathroom, especially from the toilet. | Run water down the sink, bathtub, shower, and toilet to assist in proper drainage. Ensure that your septic tank is working properly, or you may need to pump and clean your septic tank. |
| Backups In Toilets | If your toilet is backing up frequently, it’s probably plugged with hair, dirt, and other debris. | Pressurize the tank and flush it again. You could call a septic company to clean out the septic system. |
| Toilet Overflowing After Flushing | This may signify something floating in your toilet tank, like coins. This will eventually result in a clogged line. | If you can’t find anything in the toilet bowl. Try unplugging the toilet and then plugging it back in again. Or get your septic system pumped and cleaned. |
| Daily Toilet Runs | Not every household has a daily ‘wash down’ routine. However, if you do, pay attention to how often you wash your hands after using the bathroom. Otherwise, this may be a sign of clogging in your septic system. | Run water down the sink, bathtub, shower, and toilet to assist in proper drainage. |
| Bad Smell coming from kitchen sinks | You may be experiencing odor in your kitchen sink if the drain is clogged. This usually happens when there’s a buildup of waste in the pipes. | Unplug and unclog your kitchen sink pipes or have it pumped and cleaned. |
| Green, lush grass | You might be noticing lush grass on your lawn. This is usually a result of the excessive amounts of rain in the area. When it rains this much, your septic system will take in more than usual. | Call a septic company to remove excess rainfall peas and clean your septic system. |
Does The Kitchen Sink Drain to The Septic Tank?
It depends on the type of sewage disposal system that you are using. Generally speaking, it drains to the public sewer or septic tank.
However, if you are using your kitchen sink to dispose of waste, then it doesn’t drain into the sewage system.
Kitchen sinks must have a trap for them to work properly.
You can locate these traps under the sink and only allow wastewater drainage so that grease or other debris does not accumulate in your pipes.
If your kitchen sink does not have a drain and trap, it will discharge directly into the sewer system, or if you use a septic tank, it may also discharge there.
As long as you locate it in the sewage system and have at least one outlet that drains to the public sewer system or septic tank, you have a “permitted” kitchen sink drain away from plumbing lines.
If you don’t locate it in the public sewer system or septic tank, it is a non-permitted kitchen sink drain away from plumbing lines.
If you are still trying to decide whether a kitchen sink drain is permitted or have an issue about which one is permitted and which isn’t, you should contact your local code enforcement office.
They can assist you in determining whether a kitchen sink drain is permitted.
How Much Water Can the Septic Tank Hold Per Day?
It depends on your usage, septic tank size, and how much it fills up. There are various ways to calculate how much water a septic tank holds daily.
For example, the average capacity of a 20-year-old septic tank is between 8 and 10 gallons which would mean that it could hold up to 13,600 gallons of water.
How much a septic tank can fill up in one day depends on your job. If you are showering or doing laundry, the system will take about an hour to fill up completely.
On the other hand, if you are doing several things like running the kitchen sink, showering, and other activities, it will take longer for your septic tank to fill up.
Again, you must know how much water the septic tank can hold because this will help you understand when to empty it.
Aside from that, it also lets you determine if your system is working properly. If it is not, then you need to call a professional immediately.
The plumber buries most septic tanks in the ground, so they will be out of sight and do not take up space in your home.
However, the average size varies a lot depending on the size of your family. Mostly, the average depth lies between 4 and 7 feet.
It also has slotted baffles that allow the water and waste to move so they will not get stuck inside.
They make them with polyethylene, which is strong enough to withstand the pressure created by the sludge and waste.
Conclusion
Septic tanks are essential in any property’s residential, commercial, or industrial landscape.
You may experience problems with your plumbing system without a proper septic system, such as clogged drains and overflowing toilets.
If you are planning on building a new home or remodeling an existing one, it is essential to have a septic tank installed. This can protect your investment and keep operating costs down.
