If your home has a septic tank, you're going to want to make sure that it gets periodic attention. Typically, you're going to want to have a septic cleaning company come in to inspect the system and pump out the tank.
After your septic tank is cleaned, you may want to ask the person doing the work to perform an inspection as well to make sure that there are no clogs, cracks, leaks or any other damage that may cause problems in the future.
If your septic tank is due for cleaning, you should also take the opportunity to have the system inspected thoroughly. Leaks in particular, should be dealt with immediately as they may cause dangerous pathogens to enter the environment.
One good reason not to pour inorganic or toxic substances down your drain is to prevent contamination of your property. Effluent (liquid waste) is designed to flow out of the septic tank and into a leach field so any inappropriate liquids you dispose of will leave the tank as well.
When a septic tank is not pumped out regularly, there is not enough room for the solids and lighter elements to separate from the effluent, resulting in a contaminated or pipe-clogging discharge.
If your septic tank is constantly filled to within a foot of the top, it may be time to consider replacement. Cleaning it out is only a temporary fix and, besides delaying the inevitable, more serious problems could arise.
For added protection to your drain field, as well as providing peace of mind, your septic system may benefit by installing a filter to the outlet tee in the system in order to reduce the amount of suspended solids leaving the tank.
In a properly working septic tank, there are three levels: on top is the scum – grease, oils, other materials lighter than water; a clear effluent in the middle; and solid waste on the bottom. Only the effluent should be exiting the tank.
If you are putting your home on the market, it is always a good idea to have the septic tank pumped before you begin showing the house. Not only does this prevent back up or overflow issues, it is also a good time to check for any problems the system may have.
How does a septic tank work? When you flush the toilet or turn on a faucet, the wastewater and any solids it contains flows down the drain and into the tank. The solids then fall to the bottom while the liquid component flows through the tank and empties into a drain field.
Before you commit to buying an older home, you're going to want someone to inspect the septic system. This is particularly true if the property needs work as this might mean that the tank is also in need of attention.
If you are selling your home, don't let your septic system get in the way. Have it inspected then bring it up to code, if necessary, by making needed improvements and changes.
Inadvertently driving over or parking on any part of your septic tank and system will damage it. The tank can collapse, pipes be crushed, or the leach field damaged. Each of these will require professional service and repair.
Drain lines from the home to the septic tank can become clogged by waste material, roots, or from partial or complete collapse. Having a trained septic technician inspect the system is the most effective method of identifying the problem.
The sludge that the septic system is designed to create is not supposed to exit the tank except when it is pumped out. If you suspect sludge is leaving the tank, system inspection and pumping are needed.
Contrary to myth and misunderstanding, the purpose of a septic system is not to dispose of waste materials. Its purpose is to treat contaminated water before it reenters the water system. If a system malfunctions, it cannot perform the job for which it was designed.
If your septic tank is constantly filled to within a foot of the top, it may be time to consider replacement. Pumping it out is a temporary fix and, besides delaying the inevitable, more serious problems could arise.
In a properly working septic tank, there are three levels; on top is the scum – grease, oils, other materials lighter than water; a clear effluent in the middle; and solid waste on the bottom. Only the effluent should be exiting the tank.
Septic tanks have at least two chambers that work in unison to separate sewage from effluent before sending it to a leach field. If you notice an odor coming from the leach field, there is a problem somewhere in the system.
Because an inlet tee slows water when it enters in order to prevent agitation and disruption of the three layers in the tank, it is best to set the depth of the bottom of the pipe to just short of halfway into the tank. This should clear the scum layer yet not stir up the bottom sludge.
For added protection to your drain field, as well as providing peace of mind, your septic system may benefit by installing a filter to the outlet tee in order to reduce the amount of suspended solids leaving the tank.
If you have faucets that drip or toilet tanks that leak, you will need your septic system pumped more frequently. These seemingly minor problems add to daily water usage and contribute to more rapid filling of the tank.
