Septic systems are built in many homes across the United States. Septic tanks mostly populate many rural areas that are not connected to the main sewer service. Instead of pumping the waste to make it flow towards a central sewage facility, a septic tank holds the wastewater until it is treated and pumps it to a drain field. This is why frequent septic pumping procedures are heavily needed by any homeowner who has a septic tank.
The Functionality of Septic System
A traditional septic system would have the solid and liquid wastes to be carried down by the water that flows to the home’s drain system, going through one of the major sewer pipes of the septic tank. The wastewater flow is dependent on gravity but can also be improved with the use of an electric pump. The task of the septic tank is to hold the waste materials long enough for the solid to go down to the bottom of the tank while the oil and grease settle at the top. Once the tank reaches its full capacity, the liquids on the top of the layer of scum would flow through the porous pipes.
The pipes lead to a drain field that has gravel and aggregate to disperse the wastewater. The liquid will trickle on the soil as the bacteria will break down any pathogens left. At the time that the liquid goes to other water tables, it is quite sterile already. If there is no frequent septic pumping maintenance that occurs, the tank will have trouble as the bacteria that break down the waste may die.
Once the treated liquid has gone to the water tables, the solids left in the tank will be broken down by the bacteria living in it. This will create a sludge material that goes to the bottom of the tank. If the septic pumping is regular, the bacterial action will be effective. The solid wastes are reduced in huge volumes as they are broken down by the anaerobic bacteria.
Parts of A Septic Tank
A septic tank can be made of fiberglass, polyethylene, or concrete that was buried in the soil near the home that utilizes it. It has an inlet and outlet pipe. The inlet pipe is where all the waste of the home goes through. The inlet pipe is the entrance for the wastewater to go into the tank. The outlet pipe allows the treated liquids in the tank to flow outward of the tank. The outlet pipe leads to the drain field.
The top of the septic tank is only slightly buried underneath the surface of the soil. It is invisible above ground although there are one or more inspection tubes, as well as a manhole cover. This manhole cover is used by a septic pumping contractor to pump any sludge on the tank.
When Is The Right Schedule To Pump The Septic Tank?
The frequency that is recommended to inspect the septic tank once every two or three years. The septic tank must be pumped from three to five years. Undersized systems that are being heavily used are recommended to be pumped every year. Some of the systems have mechanical components, pumps, and float switches which are needed to be inspected once every year.
Why is Septic Tank Pumping Important?
Pumping the septic tank is about the process of removing all the sludge at the bottom of the septic tank. Pumping has to be done before the sludge will build up and block the outlet pipe. The frequency of the pumping has to be done on many factors.
Below are the factors that determine the frequency of pumping a septic tank:
Household size: Larger households will likely have more waste which would fill the septic tank faster.
The volume of wastewater: It is important to note that the wastewater volume going to the tank will affect how fast the tank will be filled.
Size of Septic Tank: The size of the tank will determine how much sludge and waste it could carry. Larger tanks will only require less regular pumping.
Septic tank pumping is not a simple maintenance task but rather a necessity. Sludge will build up over time. Without scheduled inspection and pumping, the system will fail which needs costly repairs.
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