Pumping your septic tank regularly removes solid waste and prevents the buildup of sewage odors around your home. It also helps you maintain the value of your property. Contact the experts at Septic Tank Pump Out Perth.
When waste enters your septic tank, it begins to separate. The heaviest matter sinks to the bottom of the tank as sludge and fats and oils float on the top as scum.
Many people mistakenly assume that if their systems have not malfunctioned in the past, they will continue to function without needing to pump the septic tank. However, a septic tank needs to be pumped every year to keep solid waste from overflowing into the leach field. The solid waste is what can cause the system to fail, leading to expensive repairs and replacements of your soil absorption field.
As waste enters your septic system, it will develop layers inside the tank. Grease and other light materials float to the top of the water layer, while heavier material settles in the bottom as a thick sludge. Some of this material will eventually decompose in the tank using aerobic and anaerobic action, but other items will not. These non-decomposable items will build up and clog your septic tank and your home’s drain lines.
If you don’t have your septic tank pumped in time, this could lead to sewage backup into your home. Overflowing septic tanks can also contaminate the surrounding environment. Sewage leaks can reach lakes and ponds, which can lead to algal blooms that are toxic to wildlife and humans. Moreover, if sewage leaks into the yard, it can kill grass and other plants around your home.
The frequency with which you need to have your septic tank pumped depends on your household’s usage. Homes with more people will generally use more water and put more solid waste into the septic tank. Likewise, families with small children or teenagers will also produce more solid waste. Homes with elderly residents or empty nesters tend to use less water and place a smaller burden on the septic tank.
When you do decide to have your septic tank pumped, it is important to have the work done by an experienced company. A professional technician will not only pump your tank but can also inspect the septic system as well. They can tell you the size of your septic tank and its condition, and they will recommend if any repair or replacement work is needed.
A septic system that isn’t properly pumped can cause problems for years. Ultimately, it can result in your septic tank failing altogether and sewage backflow into the home. If you want to avoid costly septic tank pumping and repairs, have the system inspected and pumped regularly. It will help prevent waste overflows, sewage backflows and the need for premature septic system replacements.
How to Pump Your Septic Tank
The septic tank is a large underground storage tank that holds household waste. When waste enters the septic system from the home, it passes through the septic tank baffle and is pushed into three important layers: the scum layer that floats on top of the water(AKA effluent) layer, and the sludge layer at the bottom of the tank. The septic tank is designed to remove solids from the wastewater so that it can more readily flow through the soil absorption field. The tank’s removal of these solids helps to prevent the drain field from becoming clogged and failing.
The best way to know if your septic tank needs to be pumped is to use a stick to probe the depth of each layer. The sludge layer should be no more than a third of the tank depth, and the scum layer should not be higher than a sixth of the tank depth. Once you have a feel for the thickness of these two layers, it’s a good idea to have your tank pumped every five years or less, depending on the number of people in your home and their habits.
Getting your septic tank pumped is a relatively simple process. First, locate the septic tank and its access ports. Make sure that the access ports are fully open and free of obstructions (for example, buried lawn furniture or fire pits). Next, clear the area around the septic tank and its components. This allows the pumper to easily get to the tanks and ensures that the tank can be pumped out entirely.
Finally, if you have any previous septic tank pumping or inspection records, be sure to bring these with you when the pumper arrives. It’s important for the septic tank professional to have an understanding of your septic system history and condition, as this can help them spot problems that may be developing and recommend proactive maintenance measures.
For the 1-2 days prior to your scheduled pumping, try to minimize your home’s water usage. This is important because you want to minimize the amount of waste that enters your septic system so that it doesn’t overload the tank and force the pumper to slug the remaining wastewater out through the toilets into the drain field.
Equipment You Need to Pump Your Septic Tank
Septic tank pumps are powerful pieces of equipment that septic service providers use to remove the sludge from septic tanks. A septic pump truck uses a vacuum system to pull waste out of the septic tank, ensuring that all of the liquid waste is removed as well. The truck also has a hose that allows the technician to clean out the inside of the septic tank itself, removing any debris that could potentially clog drainfields in the future.
Toxic sewage can spread disease, so the service provider will wear gloves and protective gear while working on your septic system. They will also use a muckrake to break up any sludge layers in your septic tank before they start pumping it out. This will make the process go faster and allow the tank to be pumped out more quickly. The service provider may even take the opportunity to inspect the septic tank itself, looking for any cracks or damage to the baffles and dividing wall.
The tank is usually made out of concrete or a plastic material that is buried underground. It will have a large breakable lid or two smaller lids on top, depending on the size of the tank. You should never enter the tank, as toxic gasses can build up and be fatal if inhaled. You should also keep pets and children away from the tank while it’s open, as they can be contaminated by the sewage residue.
If you notice that your septic tank is full, it’s time to call for service. You should have it pumped every three to five years, depending on how much you and your family use the system. If you don’t, sewage will back up into your house and possibly flood your drainfield and contaminate groundwater supplies.
To prevent this, try to limit water usage in the 1-2 days leading up to your scheduled septic tank pumping. You should also avoid flushing items that can’t be broken down, such as cigarettes, paper towels, feminine hygiene products, and kitty litter. It’s a good idea to keep records of your septic tank pumping, inspection, and repairs moving forward. This will help you plan your maintenance budget and ensure that the tank is pumped out before it overflows.
Cost of Pumping Your Septic Tank
Regular septic tank pumping prevents sludge buildup, which can clog drain fields and cause wastewater to overflow into the house. It can also contaminate groundwater supplies. Proper maintenance and pumping can increase your tank life and prevent costly repairs.
The cost to have your septic tank pumped depends on several factors, including tank size, location, and usage. Large tanks typically cost more to pump than smaller ones. Additionally, the tank’s location may require special equipment or an access road to reach it, increasing labor costs. Finally, tank usage can impact how often you need to have it pumped. For example, if your home has a garbage disposal or you use harsh cleaning solutions in your drains, it’s likely that your tank will need to be pumped more frequently.
A professional septic tank service will be able to give you an accurate price estimate based on your home’s specific needs. However, there are some steps that you can take to reduce the cost of septic tank pumping and inspection.
Make sure to remove any yard debris that may fall into the septic system. This can damage the tank, baffles, and dividing wall. You can also help by planting trees and shrubs with shallow roots away from your septic system. These roots can infiltrate pipes and cause leaks.
It’s also important to make sure your septic tank is accessible for the professionals who will be cleaning and pumping it. This will help to lower the cost of services, since they won’t have to dig as deeply. Finally, you can help reduce the cost of septic tank pumping by scheduling your services during the off-season. This will save you money on both labor and equipment costs.
If you’re unsure whether it’s time to have your septic tank pumped, you can check the level with a simple tool. Using a measuring stick with a velcro strip, simply lower the end into your septic tank until you feel it hit the bottom of the tank. The dark sludge will cling to the velcro, so you can determine how much sludge has built up based on the number of inches that are marked along the velcro strip.