A huge portion of sewage systems utilizes septic tanks. The frequency of septic pumping has been debated by experts for many years. Some homeowners claim that they never pump their septic tanks yet it still works properly. Others have attempted to create a universal pumping policy. Regulators are conservative and try to balance the two sides. The recommendation is to have the septic tanks pumped every two to three years.
For a homeowner, many ways can help you estimate your septic pumping schedule. An example is that an average house that has a family of four with four bedrooms might have installed a 1,200 or 1,500-gallon type of tank. This tank would require pumping once every three to five years.
How is a septic tank pumped?
You may hire a septic system professional to inspect your tank. This person would check if it is the right time to do septic pumping maintenance and remove the sludge from your tank. The professional would probably check if the scum layer that lies just between the sludge and the liquid is just six inches far from the outlet pipe that leads to the drain field.
The process begins when there is a tanker truck with a vacuum tool. The technicians will insert a large house into the tank. The access is made possible through a manhole once the cover is opened. The truck will sort out the septic tank’s contents. A technician will stir the contents of the tank using a muckrake that is used to break the solids and mix it with the liquid waste to make the process more efficient.
The pumping process requires expert contractors to pump your tank. You must hire experienced and efficient septic tank professionals to ensure that the job is done properly. To fully extract all the waste material in the tank, the layer of scum has to be broken up. The sludge layer is mixed into the tank’s liquid portion. The mixing is done through the alternate liquid pumping and re-injecting the liquid to the bottom, washing off the sludge.
The access for the septic pumping is made possible by two central access ports that are called manholes. The septic tank pumping is not done through the inlet or outlet ports. Pumping the tank through these ports may damage the yield and baffles which leads to incomplete removal of the scum and sludge.
The utilization of additives on the tanks in an attempt to reduce the sludge’s volume or use it as a substitute for pumping is not advisable. Being dependent on additives instead of a traditional septic pumping could lead to the entire system failing ultimately. The costs for a pumping procedure may start from $200 to $500. The cost depends on the region and size of the tank.
Septic System Maintenance Tips
Even though you need a septic tank pumping service, there are still proactive ways you can do to make sure that your home’s septic system will efficiently operate and reduce the frequency of the pumping.
Decrease Solid Wastes
You need to be vigilant about the solid wastes that go into your septic tank. Avoid getting trash to be washed or flushed to the drain as it can be a burden to the septic system. Do not flush any solid wastes such as napkins or toilet papers to the toilet. Do not use a trash disposer that puts any organic waste material into the septic system.
Decrease Too Much Water Usage
If your household uses high volumes of water can cause your system to malfunction. If using high volumes of water is unavoidable, you can still save water with faucets and toilets that have water-saving features on them. Repairing the drips and leaks is also a way to decrease water usage.
Avoid Pouring Chemicals on Toilets or Drains
Chemicals can cause a great imbalance within the septic tank. The chemical may interfere with the bacteria that are doing their job to break down the waste. It may kill the bacteria, which would mean there is no other way that the wastewater can be treated. Avoid flushing the chemicals to the toilets or drains. If you want to use an additive, consult a septic system expert before going through with your plan. Some additives can do more harm than good.
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