Septic tank services are specialized plumbing maintenance for on-site sewage systems. They include inspections, pumping, cleaning and other maintenance activities.
Regular pumping and cleaning prevent water pollution, plumbing problems, odors and increases home value. It also ensures the health of your family and environment. Click the Septic Tank Services Near Me to learn more.
Septic tank service companies use specialized equipment such as pumping trucks, sewer jets and high-capacity vacuum cleaners. They also keep detailed customer profiles, digital calendars and servicing agreements to streamline scheduling.
Installation
Septic tanks are a useful and efficient way to treat wastewater. They reduce the amount of disease-causing organisms that enter surface and groundwater supplies in residential areas. In addition, they prevent wastewater from polluting lakes and rivers downstream of residential communities.
To protect your septic system, use water-efficient fixtures and dispose of waste carefully. Avoid dumping grease, hazardous chemicals and non-biodegradable materials into your system as these can disturb the biological balance in your tank or cause clogs. Additionally, regularly scheduled maintenance services ensure that your septic system is operating properly.
During your septic tank installation, it’s important to get all necessary permits before beginning construction. Your septic tank should be placed as far away from your home and any other buildings as possible. You should also consider the direction of prevailing winds when making venting arrangements for your tank.
A septic tank can be made of either concrete or plastic. Concrete tanks are the most common choice for homeowners. They are durable and can last for 20 to 30 years. However, they can be heavy and require reinforcement to resist damage. Plastic tanks are lighter and more affordable. They are more susceptible to damage, though, and may crack if driven over.
After solids settle in the septic tank, liquid wastewater flows into the drain field for further treatment. The drain field is a series of perforated pipes or slotted panels, typically surrounded by gravel, soil or tire chips. Bacteria in the soil naturally deactivate any remaining disease germs in the sewage.
If the septic tank is too small or poorly designed, solid waste may flow into the drain field and clog it. This can expose people and animals to the disease-causing organisms in sewage.
To avoid costly septic tank repair or replacement, install the right size and design for your home’s septic system. An experienced and licensed professional will be able to conduct a site inspection and recommend the right size septic tank for your home. They’ll also ensure that the septic tank and drain field are designed to meet all local and state requirements for safe operation.
Inspection
Septic systems are a vital part of many homes in rural areas, where access to public sewer systems is limited. Like any other home system, septic tanks and drain fields require routine inspection and maintenance to prevent malfunctions and failures. A septic tank collects wastewater – toilet and bathroom waste, garbage disposal, washing machine use – then pumps the liquids into a buried drain field for absorption. Solids sink to the bottom of the septic tank and into the sludge layer, which should never exceed 30% of the tank volume. Liquids exit the septic tank through the scum and effluent layers into the drain field. During an inspection, the inspector will check for signs of malfunction, including leaks or cracks in the tank walls and a detached dividing wall (which could trap solid material).
The inspector will also check the level of scum and sludge in the tank using a sludge judge, and ensure that the water in the drainfield is absorbing correctly. In addition, the inspector will inspect the inlet and outlet pipes for clogging and the manhole for any evidence of structural damage, such as cracks or a missing cover.
Because septic tanks are buried underground, they are difficult to access. Inspectors will look for inspection ports or other entry points in the ground that allow them to use cameras, tools and a small peek inside the tank to confirm that the baffles, pump and lids are functioning properly. They will also walk around the house to look for a cesspool, sogginess or green or black standing water, which are all indications that the septic system is failing.
While a visual inspection is helpful, it’s important for homeowners to hire PSMA-certified inspectors who are trained and adhere to industry standards. Inspectors will also conduct a septic system site evaluation, which includes performing measurements and tests on the soil and building to determine the best type of septic tank for the lot.
Septic tank inspections are also performed before a homeowner sells the property, as the septic system is a significant financial investment and should be in good working condition to maximize the value of the property. Before a home sale, the inspector will perform a hydraulic load test of the drain field to ensure that it’s capable of handling the new owner’s anticipated wastewater volume.
Pumping
The purpose of septic tank pumping is to remove the liquid effluent and solid sludge from your septic tank, which prevents your septic system from overflowing or malfunctioning. This process typically involves using a vacuum truck to remove the contents of your tank. The frequency of septic tank pumping will vary, depending on the size of your household and the amount of waste produced. Larger households will fill the septic tank faster than smaller ones, and you will need to have it pumped out more frequently.
You should also have your septic tank pumped if you notice slow draining or foul odors in your home. If you neglect to have your septic tank pumped, it can overflow and leak onto the absorption field or leach line. This will require the costly repair or replacement of the entire septic system.
To keep your septic tank in good condition, avoid dumping hazardous wastes into it, and limit how much wastewater you send to it. Do not add septic tank-cleaning chemicals to your system, as they can disrupt the settling and decomposition processes in it.
It is important to locate your septic system before starting any construction on your property. Your local health department may be able to help you locate your system from information found on your building permits. You should also make a map of where the septic tank, septic pump, and drain field are located. This will save you time and money when you need to find these items later on.
Keeping the area around your septic system free of obstructions is another way to keep it in good shape. Planting trees or driving heavy vehicles over the drainfield can damage it and cause failure. You should also not cover it with any materials, as this can clog the pipes and lead to system failure.
Finally, you should schedule regular septic tank pumping services and have your system inspected by a licensed septic system professional. During inspections, professionals will examine the sludge and scum layers in your tank to determine whether it is time to have it pumped. They will also inspect the septic system for any leaks or other problems that need to be addressed.
Cleaning
The septic tank contains bacteria that help break down and decompose the waste materials that enter your home’s drain system. Wastewater from your toilets and sinks runs through the main drain line to the septic tank underground where solids settle down into the bottom and oil and grease float to the top of the liquid wastewater (effluent). The bacteria in the septic tank create gases that vent out through a pipe in the lid. These gases, which smell like rotten eggs, must be released to prevent a pressure build-up that could block or reverse the flow of wastewater.
During the pre-pumping inspection, a professional will measure the liquid levels in your septic tank to determine whether it is full or overflowing. If the liquid levels are too high, it will be necessary to pump out your septic tank and install a new baffle to keep the level in the tank closer to the bottom. This will prevent liquids from being forced into the absorption field where they can clog the pipes and cause a backup into your home.
In addition to preventing overflows, regular pumping and cleaning will extend the life of your septic system and help you save on costly repairs or replacements. It can also protect the environment by preventing the spread of disease-causing microorganisms into groundwater sources and surface water bodies.
When you schedule a septic tank pumping and cleaning service, the specialist will locate your septic tank and open the access lids. They will use a large tanker truck equipped with vacuum equipment to remove the septic sludge from each compartment of your septic tank. Depending on the condition of your septic tank and drain field, the technician may recommend hydro jetting to clean your tank walls as well.
During the pumping and cleaning process, professionals must wear protective gear to ensure that they do not come into direct contact with the sewage. It is important to hire a professional septic tank cleaner to handle this task because sewage is a breeding ground for dangerous bacteria and microorganisms that can cause disease.