A septic tank sorts household waste, separating solids and liquids. It’s important to pump out a septic system regularly to prevent ground contamination, clogs, and system failure.
Spreading out water use over time and avoiding flushing wipes, feminine products, and other toxic substances will reduce the need for frequent maintenance and help minimize the risk of an overflow. Click the Septic Tank Services Near Me to learn more.
Septic tanks are used to dispose of sewage waste for homes that don’t have access to the municipal sewer system. Wastewater from sinks, toilets, showers, and bathtubs flows into the septic tank, where it occurs. Solids in the wastewater (feces, toilet paper, and other human waste) separate from the clear water that floats on top of the septic tank (called sludge). The heaviest solids sink to the bottom of the septic tank, while decomposition occurs within the tank’s confines. The resulting sludge is periodically removed by a pump truck and taken away for disposal in an on-site soil absorption field, commonly known as a drain or leach field.
The frequency at which septic tanks must be pumped can vary from home to home. The best way to determine how often a septic tank should be pumped is to have a professional company.
During this inspection, the professional can give you an accurate timeframe for when your septic tank will need to be pumped again. This will vary depending on the number of people living in the home and how much water is being used. The more water used, the faster the septic tank will fill up, and it may need to be pumped more frequently.
When a septic tank is close to full, the solids can build up and clog the drain field, which can result in sewage backups into homes or surfacing in yards. Keeping up with regular septic tank pumping services will prevent this from happening.
If your septic system is due to be pumped, it is a good idea to divert any surface water, such as sprinklers, from going into the septic tank or drain field. This will help to protect the drain field from too much water, which can damage it and lead to premature failure of the system.
You can also reduce the amount of waste that enters your septic system by reducing how often you wash large amounts of clothes and using a washer that uses less water, and by not flushing items that can’t be broken down or dissolved such as feminine products, wipes, and plastic.
Inspection
Septic tanks are buried underground and out of sight, but they play a critical role in the performance of your plumbing system and the health of your property. That’s why it is vital to get them inspected regularly by a certified septic tank professional. Unlike property inspectors, septic tank professionals have passed written, oral, and practical exams to demonstrate their competency in the design and installation of septic systems.
During a septic inspection, a technician will enter the septic tank through an access point (typically at the front of the house) to look for cracks and signs of other damage. He or she will also inspect the tank cover, check the inlet and outlet pipes for leaks, verify that baffles are in place and functioning, and evaluate the operating liquid level of the tank. The technician will excavate the distribution box when it is accessible to determine its condition, and he or she will conduct a flow test by feeding a camera into the inlet baffle and outflow pipe to make sure that wastewater is being accepted by the drain field.
In addition to checking the septic tank, a septic tank inspection involves looking at the condition of the surrounding soil and groundwater. If septic fluid is leaching into the groundwater, it can contaminate it with bacteria, viruses, organic matter, degradable waste compounds, synthetic detergents, and chlorides. This can lead to environmental problems, including water contamination, wildlife habitat disruption, and reduced plant growth.
The frequency of septic tank inspections depends on the size of the household, the amount of solid waste generated, and the volume of septic fluid stored in the tank. However, septic tanks should be inspected every two years to catch any problems before they cause significant damage.
Septic tank inspections can be costly, but they’re a necessary part of regular maintenance. A septic tank that isn’t properly maintained can become a cesspool, causing the plumbing system to fail and resulting in hazardous waste spills, a clogged or leaking toilet, and a wet yard. If you’re thinking of selling your home, having a septic tank inspection done will also help you set a more accurate value for the property.
Repairs
A septic system that is not maintained properly can lead to expensive clogs and drain field failure. If you have sewage backing up into your home or garden, or notice low water pressure in your tub or shower, call a septic tank company right away. The company can troubleshoot the issue and determine what is causing it. They can also provide tips and pointers for septic tank maintenance to help you avoid future problems.
Having the tank pumped regularly is an important part of septic tank maintenance. A professional will check the sludge and scum levels in the tank and determine when it is time for a pumping. A septic tank should be pumped every three to five years to prevent waste buildup. A full tank can cause septic system backups and may even contaminate groundwater supplies.
Other septic tank repairs that need to be done may include replacing the septic tank lid, repairing a cracked or missing septic tank vent, replacing riser pipes, repairing drain field lines and resolving septic system failures. It is also a good idea to replace the septic tank distribution box (D box) at regular intervals, as it can be a source of backups and health risks.
Septic tank repair is a job better left to professionals, as it can be an unpleasant and dangerous task. Trying to fix a septic tank yourself can lead to further damage, leaks and waste contamination of your property. In addition, a failed septic tank can cause sewage to backup into your house and into garden areas, which can be harmful to your family’s health.
A qualified septic tank technician can evaluate your septic system to determine what repairs are needed to keep it working efficiently. A septic tank inspection will reveal any cracks or structural problems that need attention. If the septic tank is not in good condition, a technician can recommend a replacement or upgrade to a newer model that will be more efficient and last longer.
Septic tank services should be included in a regular household maintenance budget. A well-maintained septic system will save you money in the long run and reduce the risk of costly emergency repairs. In addition, a detailed set of maintenance records will make your home more appealing to prospective buyers.
Maintenance
If your home isn’t connected to the city sewer line, you need a septic system to handle your waste. When you flush a toilet or use the sinks and drains, the water and waste travel through pipes underground to the septic tank, where solid waste is separated from the clean, reusable water. The septic tank holds the waste until it is pumped out during regular maintenance.
Keeping up with septic tank pumping keeps your system functioning properly and saves you from costly repairs or replacement. Without regular cleaning and pumping, waste will build up and clog the septic tank and drain field, causing leaks, backups and other problems that are expensive to fix.
A professional septic tank service can inspect and clean your system regularly. They will also provide you with tips for proper septic system usage and help you schedule regular maintenance. It is recommended that you have your septic system inspected every one to two years and cleaned (pumped out) every three to five years or more frequently, depending on the size of your tank and the number of people in your home.
In addition to regular septic tank pumping, it’s important to only put natural waste into your septic system. Avoid putting any non-biodegradable or hazardous materials into your system, which can lead to costly damages and health hazards. Some items you shouldn’t flush include cat litter, coffee grounds, baby wipes, tampons, diapers, oily waste, dental floss, hair, paint thinners, solvents and pesticides.
Septic tank service companies can pump out your septic tank using a specialized truck equipped with a large vacuum hose. The hose is inserted into the access point and the liquid and sludge are pumped out through the septic tank’s outlet. The septic tank service company will then install a new filter or risers, and they will conduct a thorough inspection to ensure the septic system is clean and working properly. They will also make sure the high-level alarm is functional and update the system map if needed. This helps protect your property and can be a selling point for potential buyers.