Having your septic tank pumped at regular intervals reduces the amount of solid waste that reaches the drain field, helping prevent premature septic system failure.
The most obvious indication that your septic tank needs pumping is sewage backing up into toilets or drains. Foul odors near the tank and drain field are also signs of an overfull septic tank. Contact Septic Tank Pump Out Perth now!
The cost of septic tank pump out can be expensive, but it is far less costly than the damage that can result from not having your septic system properly maintained. When sewage overflows from the drain field it can flood the soil around your home, contaminating groundwater. If it reaches nearby water bodies like lakes or creeks, toxic algal blooms can occur which threaten the health of local wildlife and people. Sewage can also seep into the water we drink, exposing us to harmful bacteria and diseases like hepatitis.
Having your septic tank regularly pumped is a great way to protect the environment, your family, and your home value. You can avoid these problems by having it pumped out as soon as you notice signs that the tank is full, including a full toilet flush, an overflow of wastewater from the drain field, or if the sludge and scum layer is within six inches of the top of the outlet.
How often you need your septic tank pumped depends on usage, which includes the number of people in the household and how much they use the toilets, washing machine, and garbage disposal. The septic tank size also plays a role in how often you need to have it pumped. Small tanks fill up quickly, whereas large tanks can go longer between pumpings.
Professional technicians who clean and service septic systems can offer you advice about how often to have your septic tank pumped. They can also recommend preventative maintenance steps, such as using a septic tank alarm to monitor sludge and scum levels in the septic tank.
Aside from scheduling septic tank cleaning and maintenance, you can also help to reduce the amount of waste that goes into the septic system by using water sparingly, doing laundry at different times, and putting only waste and toilet paper down the drain. Avoid putting anything down the drain that isn’t waste or toilet paper, including feminine hygiene products, diapers, cigarette butts, coffee grounds, grease, chemical drain cleaners, and other chemicals.
Another important point to remember is that it’s a good idea to have your septic tank pumped prior to hosting parties or barbeques. The massive volume of wastewater from many guests will easily overwhelm the tank and cause premature field malfunction or sewage back up into your house.
Septic tank pumping removes the solid waste that would otherwise build up and cause clogs or backups. This is one of the best ways to keep your septic system functioning properly and efficiently.
When septic lines are clogged, it’s often caused by the buildup of food waste, hair, grease, or other debris that cannot be broken down by natural microbes. This can lead to slow-draining sinks, and sewage backup in toilets. Clogged drains can be very unpleasant and messy to deal with, but septic tank pump out prevents this from happening by keeping the line clean.
Another common reason for clogged drains is when the septic tank is overfilled with sludge and scum. When the tank fills with these materials, it can cause wastewater to back up into home plumbing fixtures and even into the yard and driveway. This is why it’s important to know the warning signs and preventative measures for a septic system failure.
The septic tank should be pumped when the bottom of the floating scum layer is within six inches of the bottom of the outlet tee or when the top of the sunken sludge layer is within 12 inches of the outlet tee (this is called “the water mark”). You can easily check your own septic tank to see how much sludge is in it by lowering a measuring stick into the septic tank until it reaches the bottom and checking the velcro strip on the end of the stick.
It’s also recommended to only use toilet paper and human waste, repair leaky fixtures in the house, and reduce water usage to prevent septic system overload. It’s also important to avoid chemical drain cleaners that aren’t made specifically for septic systems, as they can kill the beneficial bacteria in your septic tank and throw the microbial party out of balance.
If you do notice a problem with your septic system, such as slow-draining sinks or sewage backing up into your home, contact a professional septic tank service provider immediately. They will be able to diagnose the issue and recommend appropriate repairs to keep your septic system in good working condition.
The sewage that goes into your septic system contains harmful bacteria, parasites and germs. If these contaminants are not properly handled and disposed of, they can enter the environment, contaminating groundwater and surface water sources, causing serious health problems for people and animals. Regular septic tank pumping is vital to ensure that sewage does not flow back into your home, reducing the risk of disease.
If your septic tank is not pumped regularly, solid waste will build up in the tank and clog the drain field. This can lead to sewage backups into the plumbing system, which are not only unpleasant, but they also pose a health hazard.
Fortunately, you can prevent this by monitoring the sludge level in your septic tank. To do so, open the inspection hatch of the septic tank and, using a stick with a velcro strip on the end, lower it down into the dark sludge until you feel it hit the bottom of the tank. The velcro will cling to the sludge and allow you to measure it with ease.
If you are unsure of how often to have your septic tank pumped, it is best to consult a professional waste handler. Households with children and large families usually require septic tanks to be pumped more frequently, while households of three or less can typically go 4-5 years between pump outs.
Neglecting to get your septic tank pumped can also cause the tank to overflow. This is particularly problematic because it will release unprocessed sewage into the drain field, polluting soil and contaminating surface and groundwater.
Getting your septic tank pumped regularly helps protect your home and reduces the risk of costly repairs. It is important to have a professional inspect your septic tank and other parts of the septic system on a regular basis.
Signs that it is time to have your septic tank pumped include:
- Gurgling sounds from toilets and drains.
- Standing water or damp spots around the septic tank or drainfield.
- Bad odors in and around the home.
- High levels of nitrates or coliform bacteria in drinking water.
When selling a home, it’s important to do everything you can to increase its value. One thing that can help is having a well-maintained septic tank system. While some buyers might be hesitant to purchase a home with a septic tank, it can actually boost your home’s value if it is pumped on a regular basis.
Unlike city sewer systems, septic tanks treat waste from your toilets, showers and sinks separately. All drains in your house connect to a pipe that leads to a septic tank buried outside the house. The wastewater from your household’s drains is combined before it enters the septic tank, where it separates. The heaviest particulate matter, called sludge, sinks to the bottom of the tank. Fats, oils and proteins form a floating scum layer at the top of the tank. The comparatively clear liquid wastewater, called effluent, flows out of the tank through a perforated pipe into a drain field in your yard. The drain field, which is a network of perforated pipes in dry soil, filters and slowly releases the effluent into the groundwater supply.
If your septic system is not properly maintained, it can cause problems that will detract from your home’s value and even make it unsellable. That’s why it’s essential to keep your septic tank pumped regularly to prevent a costly repair or replacement. You can also save money by taking care of your septic tank yourself, rather than hiring a professional service.
Many people choose to have their septic tank pumping done by an independent contractor, but it’s important to do your homework before selecting someone. Ask friends and neighbors for recommendations or search for reviews online. If possible, try to find someone who has experience working with septic systems.
In general, septic tank pumping is not very expensive. It’s also not a complex or hazardous job. However, you should take the time to hire a qualified company that is licensed and insured. This will ensure that the work is done correctly and that you are protected in case of an accident or injury.
