Why Does Your Septic Tank Need to be Pumped?

September 5th, 2013 Posted in Septic Tank Pumping
Comments Off on Why Does Your Septic Tank Need to be Pumped?

Unless your home is connected to a public sewer system and maintained by your municipality, your home septic system does need your attention on occasion to keep it functioning properly. Since all of the water flowing out of your house (albeit sink, shower, toilet or laundry) enters directly into the septic tank, it stands to reason that this must occasionally be pumped out.

The septic tank is a large container made of concrete, steel or plastic that is buried beneath your property, usually in the back or side yards, at some distance from the house. As all the water from your house enters the tank, it effectively separates the liquids from the solids; solid waste then settles to the bottom of the tank, while liquid waste is pumped out of the tank into a drainage field. Over time, a lot of the solid waste also gets broken down by natural bacteria in the tank. However, what solid waste remains will eventually build up and need to be pumped out by your local septic system service company.

Periodic septic tank pumping is necessary to avoid the risk backup and overflow; meaning, what should be going into the tank could be coming back into your home. Furthermore, an overflow of your tank could damage the drainage field, possibly contaminating ground water, or cause other expensive damage to the septic system or your home; all of which could have been easily prevented by having the tank pumped. Have your system inspected yearly. Once you’ve established a pattern of how well your system functions in degrading and retaining waste, you’ll know just when pumping is needed.

, ,
Read More

Tips for Protecting Your Septic System

January 31st, 2013 Posted in Septic Tank Pumping
Comments Off on Tips for Protecting Your Septic System

Your septic system is an important part of the waste disposal system for your home. Having it installed by a licensed professional according to local ordinances is very important. Once it is installed it is also important to protect your septic tank and drain field in or to keep them functioning properly.

A septic system is made up of two parts: the septic tank where wastewater from the home is initially piped to from the home plumbing system and the drain field which is beyond the tank. Both the tank and the drain field have vulnerabilities that need to be protected to keep them operational.

You should have the septic system inspected by a sewer septic professional every two to three years.  The septic tank needs to be pumped periodically and your inspector will let you know if your septic tank is due for septic tank pumping.

For the septic tank to work properly it requires a certain amount of bacteria. The bacteria is necessary to help breakdown the solid wastes. Too much bleach or anti-bacterial cleaners being used and flushed into the septic tank at once can destroy that bacteria and hinder the function of the septic tank.

Too much wastewater all at once can also be a problem. Spreading out your laundry loads, showers and dishwasher use can be very beneficial to your septic system. Fixing water leaks from toilets and other plumbing fixtures is also an important part of protecting your septic system from water overload.

Too much traffic or weight over the drain field could potentially damage the drain field. Pipes can be crushed. You also do not want to have trees planted or growing too close to the drain field, as tree roots can clog the drain field. Tree roots can also damage sewer pipe leading from the home to the septic tank.

Septic systems can last for decades without any problems, if they are properly protected and maintained.

, ,
Read More

Find Local Company | Find Local Sewer Septic Services