Periodic septic tank pumping is a fact of life for anyone with a home or business being serviced by a septic system. A regular cleaning of the tank to remove the normal and excessive build up of sludge, scum, biomaterials, solids and liquids is critical to maximizing the lifespan of the system and is a key factor in preventing sewage backups.
Depending upon the number of occupants of the building, as well as their lifestyle, most tanks will need to be pumped between 3 and 5 years, although the use of garage disposals can cut this time in half. As a part of the cleaning, a thorough inspection will also be performed to ensure that the system is performing as designed and that there are no issues with the tank or other components of the system.
In between cleanings it is recommended that the occupants of the building take steps to protect the system. The protection of any septic system begins with limiting what finds its way into the system in the first place. One of the biggest dangers to any septic system is grease, which finds its way into the system as a result of dishwashing or literally pouring grease out of a pan and into the drain.
Grease will cause blockage in the building’s waste pipes, as well as the septic system, because the grease will harden as it cools and adheres to everything. Grease can be a septic system killer, so be sure to pour any grease into a jar and throw it into the trash! The only thing that should find its way into the septic system is water, body waste and a limited amount of toilet paper!
Posted on behalf of Tony McAdams, A-1 National Sewer and Drain
