Septic Tank Pumping: Are you a resident of Loganville, Georgia, facing problems with your underwater sedimentation tank? We understand that pumping your tanks regularly while managing your hectic daily schedule can be challenging. However, that doesn’t make it any less significant.
What is a septic tank?
It is an underground tank found in households that do not receive municipal sewers. The feces, urine, kitchen waste, laundry water, and other waste materials get drained into the underground tank. Over there, they are converted to harmless substances by the use of bacteria.
Where is it found?
It is installed in residential areas, more specifically, in the houses of citizens. It usually extends from your home into the yard. Thousands of residents in the USA are making use of these tanks.
Materials used in its making
Materials like concrete, concrete blocks, fiber-reinforced plastic, high-density plastic, and fiberglass materials are utilized.
How does it work?
It works by allowing waste to separate into three layers: solids, effluent, and scum. The solids settle to the bottom, where microorganisms decompose them. The scum, composed of waste that’s lighter than water, floats on top.
The middle layer of effluent exits the tank and travels through underground, perforated pipes into the drainage field.
What happens when your tank becomes full?
There are five signs that you should know that indicate a full tank:
- As your tank fills up, there is less and less space for odor-causing gases in your tank. These gases leak out of the tank via the drain field leading to a sulfurous sewage smell outside your home.
- One good indicator that your septic system is starting to show signs of distress is the efficiency of your drains. If your septic system is beginning to back up, you will most likely notice that your sink, tub, toilet, or shower aren’t draining as quickly as they usually do.
- When a drain field is functioning normally, it shouldn’t cause the lawn above to look noticeably better than the rest of the yard. Being able to differentiate between your grass and drain field indicates a problem.
- In a filled tank, you can notice water pooling in various places around the yard. The most commonplace for this to occur is the area around the septic tank.
- Raw sewage backing up into the home is the most obvious sign and is certainly something no one wants to go through.
Pumping:
Septic pumping is the process of removing sludge from the bottom of the septic tank. It takes place before the sludge builds up to a level where it blocks the outlet pipe through which liquids flow into the drain field.
Pumping your septic tank allows water and waste to continue flowing smoothly through your plumbing system.
When is Septic Tank Pumping carried out?
The septic tanks should be inspected every three years by septic tank pumping services professionals to check for any clogs or blockages. Although, it is better if your tank inspection is carried out depending upon personal usage.
With the correct treatment and maintenance routine for your household, you can add many years between pump-outs.
Why is pumping important?
Pumping your septic tank is the most integral part of the process. It prevents extreme damage to your tank and the plumbing system.
Regularly pumping your tank saves you a ton of money, effort, time, and hassle.
Septic tank pumping is being carried out by multiple people every year. As a resident, you have to get your tank pumped regularly.
Consequences of not pumping?
Irregular pumping can lead to the tanks failing, which takes a ton of money to get fixed. Moreover, the solids build up in the tank leading to diminished capacity. Eventually, the solids will reach the pipe that feeds into the drain field, causing a clog or a blockage. Hence, this can cut off the water supply to the house and create multiple drainage issues.
How long can you go without pumping?
You can go a maximum of 2-5 years without pumping. Some people advise getting your tank checked every couple of months according to its usage. Regular check-ups can be more favorable and hassle-free for you in the future.
Are these tanks commonly used?
There are multiple countries using septic tanks as an effective mode of drainage and saving water supply.
Septic tanks are usually present in rural areas, campgrounds, and picnic areas in place of sewer systems to treat human waste and separate solids and liquids in wastewater.
More than 21 million households in the United States use septic systems and not a public sewer to trap and filter their toilet waste. They are also common in places like New England and the Deep South.
Best ways to take care of your tank:
There are multiple ways of how you can take good care of your tanks. These are listed below:
- Test and monitor water parameters.
- Inspect and pump frequently (after every few years or months)
- Maintain your drain field.
- Use an efficient Toilet.
- Keep trees away from the septic system.
- Don’t treat the toilet as a means of disposing of garbage.
- Properly dispose of waste products
- Do not take very long showers that overload the tank system.
How to increase bacteria in the tank?
One way to speed up the degeneration of solids and increase the bacteria count in your tank is by flushing half a cup of dry baking yeast down the toilet. The yeast promotes the growth of the bacteria that your system needs and will safely break down the waste that is slowly filling up your septic tank.
Do septic tank additives work?
Usually, they do not work as there isn’t enough research to prove that they do. Instead of helping, mostly additives are more likely to cause harm.
Final thoughts
If you want to save your money, time, and effort- it is best to invest in regular tank investigations and pumping to reduce clogs because prevention is always better than cure!