Why Septic Tank Cleaning Is Necessary
Septic tank cleaning is a necessary step in maintaining a septic system. Without regular cleanings, sludge and scum will build up, eventually plugging the drain field lines.
A clogged septic system can lead to waterborne diseases threatening your family’s health. To avoid such issues, septic tank cleaning should be done by Septic Tank Armadale.
Regardless of how carefully you dispose of waste in your home, your septic system will eventually need to be cleaned. A professional will back up a truck to your property and use a large vacuum to suck the sludge and scum out of the tank. The waste is then trucked away to be processed or disposed of.
While having a septic tank cleaned is important, it’s also a good idea to have your septic tank inspected regularly. A professional can spot issues before they become serious and expensive. They’ll also be able to help you develop a maintenance plan for your septic system, including how often it needs to be pumped and cleaned.
A septic tank contains a primordial ecosystem that breaks down the septage (wastewater) from your home. Solid waste settles to the bottom of the tank and forms a layer of sludge, while oils and other liquids float to the top and form a layer of scum. Wastewater passes from the septic tank through perforated pipes into an absorption area, or drain field, in your yard.
Without routine cleaning, the septic tank can become clogged, allowing the sludge and scum layers to overflow into your home’s toilets and other drains. Over time, the untreated wastewater can seep into groundwater, contaminating drinking water supplies and causing illness. The drain field may also become clogged, resulting in slow drainage and backups.
One of the best ways to prevent clogs is to avoid flushing anything that doesn’t belong in your toilet, such as feminine hygiene products, cat litter, baby wipes, or oily waste. It would be best to refrain from using chemical drain cleaners, especially bleach. These chemicals kill the good bacteria in your septic system and help it break down waste.
Another way to reduce the risk of a clog in your septic tank is to scrape plates and dishes into a trash can instead of a sink. It’s also a good idea to teach kids to be careful about what they flush down the toilet, as items they drop in a toilet can damage pipes or clog your septic system.
Septic tanks are filled with a combination of sludge and scum. The microbial ecosystem in the tank breaks down much of the septage, but solids still build up over time. The sludge and scum need to be pumped out periodically. When the bottom of the floating scum layer is within 6 inches (15.2 centimeters) of the outlet tee or the top of the hollow sludge layer is within 12 inches (30.4 centimeters). If you last had your septic tank pumped a while ago, it might be time to schedule a service appointment.
Aside from a full tank inspection and cleaning, there are other services that septic specialists perform to keep your system in good working order. One is water jetting, which involves inserting a high-pressure hose with a multi-directional spray nozzle into the sewer line systems. The hose adjusts its pressure to clear out the pipes without causing any damage. The dislodged debris gets flushed along with the wastewater, and your septic tank and system can get back to work.
Septic specialists also use other cleaning methods, but they usually require chemical cleaners that can harm your septic tank and the system itself. Hydro jetting, conversely, can be used to clean your entire septic system without risking any harm. Before using the hose to clear clogs, a technician may first snake a video camera into the pipe system to find the source of the blockage. For example, it could be a clump of tree roots that have grown into the lines. If so, a professional may need to dig up the root and remove it.
Your septic system is an amazing ecosystem that breaks down and filters your wastewater, but it’s important to look after the rest of your plumbing to avoid drain clogs. Especially avoid putting any non-organic waste into the system, such as coffee grounds, paper towels and wipes, feminine products, and diapers. This is because these items don’t degrade and can overload the system. Also, don’t put any grease down the drains. This can also overload the system and lead to septic tank overflow.
Getting your septic tank inspected is like going to the doctor. You know it’s necessary for your health, but you still dread what the results might be.
During a septic inspection, your technician will first check the water pressure in your home. They will also flush toilets and run faucets to ensure the septic system works correctly. The inspector will look for standing water in the drain field as well. While this does give some indication of the septic tank’s health, it doesn’t reveal if the drain field needs replacement.
Next, the inspector will look at the liquid layer of waste in the septic tank. This is usually the thinnest layer of sludge in the tank, and it is made up of wastewater from the house. The liquid waste is broken down by bacteria in the septic tank.
On top of the liquid layer is a thicker layer of sludge. This is the solid waste that bacteria haven’t broken down. The solids are usually pushed to the bottom of the septic tank by the inlet and outlet baffles. The inspector will make sure the baffles are in good condition and attached to the inlet and outlet pipes firmly.
The inspector will also check the septic tank lids and risers to ensure they are in good shape. They will look for cracks, dents, leaks, and the overall appearance of the tank. If the tank is leaking, a repair may be recommended.
After the tank is inspected, the technician will use fresh water to rinse the interior of the septic tank. A clean septic tank is essential to the drain field, and a good cleaning can prevent expensive damage from overflows and backups.
The septic tank’s lids are generally underground, requiring expert knowledge and tools to open. Some septic cleaners offer to uncover the lids for an additional cost. However, this is a bad idea because it can compromise the integrity of the septic system and lead to further problems. In addition, many older tanks have oversized concrete lids (known as “coffin lids”) that are not easily opened. If the lids are uncovered, the soil will be disturbed and can be compressed or damaged. This can cause septic problems in the future and increase the cost of maintaining the septic system.
As a homeowner, you take your septic system for granted. After all, the system is underground and out of sight, so you may only think about it when there are issues. However, your septic system is an important home part and requires proper maintenance.
Regular septic tank cleaning protects the environment and your family’s health. This process removes the scum and sludge layers that can clog the drain field and overflow into the home. It also helps prevent hazardous waste from entering the environment, and it can protect your property value by keeping the surrounding yard healthy.
A septic tank professional can identify when the cleaning process is needed by checking the liquid level in the tank. The technician can lower a vacuum hose into the tank to pump out the waste. This will allow the technician to remove the scum and sludge layer and ensure the baffles that prevent solids from escaping into the drain field are in good condition.
The septic tank cleaning process also includes flushing and backflushing to remove remaining sludge. These procedures should only be done by a licensed and bonded septic tank professional. Attempting to perform these duties alone can damage the septic system and create environmental hazards.
It is important to schedule a septic tank cleaning every two to three years. During this time, the septic tank professional will remove the sludge layer and inspect the tank for cracks or leaks. The septic tank must be empty to perform the flushing and backflushing procedures, so you should avoid using the septic system during this time.
Although a septic tank can hold up to 1,750 gallons, it will need to be pumped out more frequently if you have a large family or use the septic system for heavy household usage. This is because the septic tank fills up faster with larger families and heavy use of the drains.
A septic tank that is too full will cause the sludge layer to rise above the basic outlet pipe. This can disrupt the septic tank’s natural process of breaking down and disposing waste. When this happens, solid waste can contaminate groundwater and soil and pose serious health risks to your family.
