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How Often Should Your Septic Tank Be Pumped Out?

When wastewater enters your septic system, solid waste settles at the bottom while lighter materials like grease float to the top. Bacteria in the tank help break down this waste.

The anaerobic bacteria-treated wastewater leaves the septic tank and enters the soil absorption field for further treatment. Without regular pumping, this process can become clogged, causing sewage to back up into the house or flood the drain field. Contact Septic Tank Pump Out Perth now!

Septic tanks come in a variety of sizes, from 500-gallon tanks for smaller homes to tanks that can hold 2,500 gallons or more. The size of the tank dictates how often it should be pumped out. A larger household will place more of a load on the system than a smaller household.

When sewage enters a septic tank, it becomes separated into three distinct layers: scum, water, and sludge. The scum layer floats on top of the water layer and is partially treated by bacteria inside the tank. The water and sludge eventually flow into a drain field, further broken down by a network of perforated pipes in the soil. By the time it reaches groundwater, effluent is completely filtered and free of pathogenic bacteria.

When you have a septic system it is important to minimize the amount of waste you put into it. This will reduce the amount of sludge that builds up and needs to be pumped out. You can do this by using less water in the house, spacing out laundry sessions throughout the week and avoiding putting any solids into the system such as cigarettes, paper towels, kitty litter and left over medications. You can also avoid covering up the drainage field with a driveway or storage building as this will interfere with proper operation of the septic system.

Inspection

A septic tank inspection isn’t included in a standard home inspection, but it should be. The inspection is a chance for the inspector to get a good understanding of how the home’s septic system works, including when it was last pumped and inspected.

The inspection also includes a test to ensure that water is flowing properly from the home to the tank and that there are no leaks in the tank or piping. In some cases, the inspector may use a dye to check for leaks in the piping.

If the inspector notices that the yard is greener above the septic tank or that snow melts faster in that area, it could indicate that the septic system isn’t functioning as well as it should be. The inspector can take steps to find out why that is, including contacting previous homeowners and seeking out an “as-built” drawing of the tank’s location that may be held in local health and zoning agencies.

The inspection is a good opportunity for the inspector to recommend ways that the homeowner can keep the septic system working properly, including only flushing bath tissue and paper towels. Tampons, cigarette butts, diapers, and household chemicals can damage bacteria in the septic tank and should be placed in the trash. Trees and long-rooted shrubs should be planted far away from the septic tank, and people should not drive on or park over the drain field as it can compress the subterranean piping.

Cleaning

Septic tank maintenance is one of those tasks that can easily fall by the wayside. After all, septic tanks are buried underground, and their access ports are often covered in dirt and difficult to reach. However, regular pumping and cleaning will prevent smelly septic tank problems and costly drain field repairs.

All sewage in your home travels through pipes until it reaches the septic tank, where solid waste sinks and scum rises. The liquid wastewater continues to the drain field, where it is dispersed into the soil after treatment.

During septic tank cleaning, the professionals will first locate the septic tank and dig out the top. Once they expose the cover, they will uncover the inlet and outlet ports and remove them. They will also use a large hose with vacuum equipment to empty the contents of the septic tank. They will stir the sludge layer and the scum layer to break them up, so that they can be pumped away.

The pros will check the tank for cracks and other damage. They will also replace the filter and clean the baffles. Keeping your septic system up to date will help it last for decades. You can make this maintenance task easier by reducing the amount of water that enters your home, by fixing leaks, and by spreading out laundry loads throughout the week. Using a bacterial additive will encourage the growth of good bacteria, helping your septic system work better and last longer.

Repair

A septic tank consists of a buried, cylindrical container made from concrete, fiberglass or polyethylene that holds wastewater from household plumbing. Flowing through plumbing connections, sewage sinks to the bottom of the tank where bacterial activity breaks down the waste. Solids settle to the bottom, forming a layer of sludge. Lighter masses, such as grease and lipids, ascend to the top and form a layer of scum. Water exits the septic tank through an outlet pipe into a network of perforated pipes extending into the drain field.

Like other major home systems, septic tanks can suffer problems that require repairs. Regular septic tank pumping prevents problems and helps you keep your septic system working well for years to come. If you think your septic tank is nearing or has reached full capacity, schedule a pump out.

Foul odors in your home, clogged toilets or drains, and standing water around the septic tank can indicate that it’s time to get it pumped. The more often a septic tank is pumped, the less likely it will overflow and require expensive repairs to your home’s plumbing fixtures and septic system.

Before the septic tank company comes, remove any debris or weeds that might cover your septic tank or its access port. If a tree’s roots are growing through or into the tank or its drainage pipes, consider planting it somewhere else on your property.