It’s important to get your septic tank pumped regularly. This ensures a healthy balance of bacteria in your septic system.
The process can take about an hour and a half. It begins with locating the tank and evaluating access. This can take extra time if the tank is buried or covered by landscaping. Contact Septic Tank Cleaning Brighton for more information.
Preparation
The first step in septic tank cleaning is to prepare the site. This includes clearing away any obstacles that could prevent a tank from being pumped out, such as a fence or tree roots. It also involves preparing the area where the pumper will drive in and out of the tank location.
If your septic system has a two-tank system, the tank seals must be repaired before the pumping and cleaning process begins. The delicate seals are one of the first things to erode, and they’re vulnerable to bacteria, earthquakes, heavy vehicles driving too close, and other factors. It’s a good idea to have the seals inspected regularly, and they should be replaced when needed.
A septic tank is a large, buried water-tight container that holds domestic wastewater from toilets and other drains. Heavier solid waste sinks to the bottom of the tank forming sludge, while lighter waste such as oils and fats floats to the top to form scum. Anaerobic bacteria in the septic tank digest and break down these organic wastewater pollutants, transforming them into inert matter that eventually exits the septic tank through the drainfield.
The sludge and scum layers in your septic tank can grow to a point where the septic system fails to function correctly. This is why it’s important to have your septic tank pumped and cleaned periodically.
If you notice that your toilet flushes are slow or unsteady, it’s a sign that your septic tank is full and needs to be pumped out. It’s best to hire a professional septic tank company for this job to ensure that the tank is completely emptied.
Once the technician has located your septic tank and carefully removed its lid, they will visually inspect it. This will include looking at the sludge and scum levels, checking for signs of leaks, and ensuring that the lid is secure.
It is critical to work safely around a septic tank because it contains dangerous gases, including hydrogen sulfide. These gasses are deadly and can cause unconsciousness if inhaled, and they’re also flammable. It’s important to wear protective clothing and to never smoke near a septic tank opening.
Pumping
Septic tanks are underground storage units for sewage waste for homes that don’t have access to municipal sewer systems. They’re designed to hold sewage long enough for solids to separate from the liquid wastewater before it discharges into a drain field or soil absorption system. A septic tank can’t function properly without periodic pumping and cleaning by a qualified professional.
During the pumping phase, a large tanker truck equipped with vacuum equipment is used to remove liquids and sludge from the septic tank. The septic tank is also stirred to break up any solid waste and help the decomposition process. The truck will empty the septic tank contents into a holding container and then transported to the disposal site for processing.
Septic tank cleaning is a vital service that keeps your home’s wastewater flowing smoothly and prevents backups and other problems. It’s recommended that you have your septic tank pumped every 2-3 years, but the exact time frame depends on a variety of factors. These include how many people live in the home and whether a garbage disposal is installed.
If it’s been a while since you had your septic tank pumped, we encourage you to book an appointment today. Getting the job done promptly reduces your chances of expensive emergency repairs later down the line.
Regular maintenance also helps keep septic system costs down, too. You can do your part by avoiding flushing non-degradable items like wipes, diapers and feminine products, and by using water-saving appliances like low-flush toilets. Taking care of these simple tasks goes a long way in keeping your septic system running smoothly and efficiently for the life of your home.
Effluent filters are also important components of a septic system. These are designed to capture lint, coffee grounds and other solid waste that can’t be broken down by the septic system’s normal bacteria. These filters need to be cleaned regularly, as well. Your septic tank service provider should inspect and clean these filters as part of any septic tank inspection or desludging appointment.
Septic systems are very complex and require expert technicians to maintain them. Avoid DIY septic tank services, as they may not be as thorough and could potentially damage your septic system.
Inspection
Septic systems are a great way to manage household wastewater, especially in rural areas where public sewer services are not available. However, like any system, they require regular inspection and cleaning to function properly. Without these routine operations, solids build up in the tank until they cannot break down and flow into your drain field. This can lead to clogging and system failure. That’s why it’s important to schedule septic tank cleaning every 3 to 5 years to avoid costly repairs and replacement costs.
During the inspection phase, your septic service technician will first remove the cover to the septic tank and look inside. They’ll look for cracks, dents, and rust that could indicate that the tank is in need of repair or replacement. They’ll also check the water levels, and if they’re high, this can indicate that the septic system is not functioning properly.
Next, the inspector will check the sludge layer. If this layer rises to the top of the tank, it is time for a pump-out. The septic tank will not function well if it is full of sludge, as the bacteria inside will have nowhere to go.
The septic tank’s baffles, which help to separate the sludge from the liquid waste, will also be checked for damage or blockage. These are essential for ensuring that each drain line receives an equal amount of wastewater. The tank’s distribution box, or D-box, will also be examined for damage, a tilting or tipping that causes uneven distribution, and other issues.
Finally, the inspector will check the drain field to ensure that it’s in good condition. They’ll make sure there are no trees or other objects close to the septic tank, which can cause root penetration and other problems for the drain field. They’ll also check the condition of the leach lines, which carry wastewater from the septic tank to the drain field.
While septic tank cleaners claim to clean the system by dispersing the fats, oils, and grease that build up in the tank, these products cannot replace the need for periodic cleanings and pump-outs. They can, however, be used in conjunction with a septic tank cleaning to help reduce the frequency of cleanings and pump-outs.
Disposal
Septic tanks are large containers buried underground that are used for the treatment of wastewater that flows from homes. Over time, sludge and scum build up within the tank. To prevent the sludge from building up too much, a septic system must be cleaned on a regular basis. This can be done through the use of septic tank pumping services.
During the tank pumping process, a technician uses a suction truck and hose to remove the sludge from the septic tank. Depending on the septic tank size and usage, most homeowners will need their septic tank pumped every three to five years. Regular pump-outs help to avoid drainfield damage and costly repairs to the home’s plumbing system.
Before the septic tank is pumped, the technician will perform a pre-pumping inspection of the sludge levels. This includes assessing the condition of the septic tank baffles and checking for issues with the drainfield. The technician can recommend any necessary repairs or replacements.
The next step is to measure the sludge and scum levels within the septic tank. This can be done by looking at the sludge level indicator at the top of the septic tank or by using a homemade stick to determine how thick the scum layer is. Generally, homeowners should have their septic tank pumped when the sludge level reaches 6 inches thick.
Once the septic tank is pumped, it is hauled away to be properly disposed of at an approved site. Some septic tank companies transport waste to a municipal wastewater treatment facility for processing and disposal. However, some unscrupulous septic tank cleaning companies dump waste illegally in rivers or other waterways.
If you’re due for a septic tank pump-out, contact us today. We’ll set you up with a local, family-owned team of septic experts who have helped thousands of homeowners protect their yard and plumbing. We promise a clear schedule, a transparent price, and a thorough tank clean-out that will leave your septic system in good shape. For more information, check out our septic tank cleaning guide or give us a call!