Septic tanks may seem like an icky subject, but they’re important to the health of a home and its residents. Septic tanks work silently in the background, doing the job of processing wastewater before returning it to the earth. However, when a septic tank system is failing or about to fail, it will announce itself in several unpleasant ways. Stay on top of the following four warning signs that a septic tank is in trouble; otherwise, the sights and smells of a broken septic system will manifest and scare off buyers!

Slow Drains

Are the bath, sink, and other drains in the house taking their sweet time? It might be a clog, or it might be the septic tank letting you know it can’t take any more waste. If drain cleaners, snakes, and plungers don’t do the job, hire a plumber to take a look. They may discover a septic tank issue and advise you to schedule an inspection and pumping by another professional. As a rule of thumb, one slow drain is no big deal, but if they’re all draining slowly, it could be a septic tank issue.

Bad Smells

This is one of the most common signs a septic tank is in trouble. Stomach-turning stenches from the yard may indicate a full septic tank or one in need of repair. Bacteria in the septic tank may have fallen behind on processing solid waste or may have been killed by household chemicals that shouldn’t have gone down the drain. There’s no way to cover up the odor, so contact a septic tank professional to see what’s up down below.

Lush Grass Growth

Who doesn’t love a lush, green lawn? That’s all well and good if it’s a consistent thick green covering the whole yard. However, if there are patches of extra-healthy grass and other vegetation over the septic tank, there’s likely a leak. The grass may love the nutrients in the leaking waste material, but you shouldn’t since it’s a sign the septic tank is damaged and in dire need of repair.

Standing Water

The only pool in the yard should be one built for swimming and diving. Pools of standing water in the middle of the yard are big warning signs of an overloaded tank, a failing drain field, or other septic problems. These aren’t the pleasant puddles of water left after a rainstorm, either. They could be teaming with bacteria and other unpleasantness!

Those are just four warning signs that a septic tank is in trouble. Before putting the home on the market, ensure the septic tank is reviewed, pumped out, and otherwise maintained. Knowing when to get your septic tank inspected and creating a schedule can be a valuable selling point for buyers.