Septic tanks are buried underground and require careful excavation to locate and remove the access lid. It is important that crew members exercise extreme caution — septic tanks contain dangerous gasses. Contact Septic Tank Pumping Fresno for professional help.
Solid waste accumulates over time in the tank reducing its capacity to hold wastewater. This can cause clogs, drain back-ups, and system failure if left unchecked.
If you live in a jurisdiction without a municipal sewer system, your home likely has its own septic tank. These tanks step in as a backup and are common in rural areas. Whether you have a single-family home or a larger multi-family residence, it’s important to schedule regular septic tank pumping. This helps prevent sewage from backing up into your home and also keeps the drain field healthy.
The cost of septic tank pumping depends on the size of your tank, how many people live in the household, and how much wastewater you use. Homes with larger families typically require more frequent pumping than homes with fewer people. The waste that enters the septic tank is separated into solids and liquids. The solid waste settles to the bottom of the tank, forming a layer of sludge. The lighter liquids, such as grease and oils, float to the top of the tank and form a layer of scum. When these layers build up, they can reduce the septic tank’s ability to treat wastewater effectively. Regular septic tank pumping removes these layers and allows your septic tank to perform as it should.
Besides reducing the need for repairs and system replacements, a regular septic tank pumping schedule can help you save money on water bills. It can also help your septic system last longer, as well as increase the resale value of your home.
When you need to have your septic tank pumped, it’s crucial to choose a service provider with a good reputation. Read online reviews and compare pricing before choosing a company. A trustworthy service provider will make sure your septic tank is pumped thoroughly and correctly. They’ll also inspect the tank for any signs of leaks or other problems.
Keeping up with a regular septic tank pumping and inspection schedule can extend the life of your septic system by decades. A septic system that is routinely pumped and maintained can easily outlast a neglected one, which will require costly repairs or even replacement. It’s also a great idea to avoid planting trees and shrubs that have aggressive roots near your septic system, as they can infiltrate pipes and tanks and lead to problems.
Frequency
Septic tanks separate solid waste from the liquid wastewater that passes into them. Over time, the solid waste settles to the bottom of the tank, forming a layer of sludge. The lighter waste floats to the top of the tank, where it forms a layer of scum. Regular pumping removes both the sludge and the scum from the tank, preventing them from flowing into the drain field where they can clog and damage the system.
Several factors influence how often septic tank needs to be pumped, including the size of the tank, the number of people living in the home, and water usage. A home with more people and larger water usage will put more wastewater into the tank, increasing the need for frequent pumping. In addition, changes to household routines can affect septic tank pumping frequency. For example, adding a new dishwasher or washing machine can increase the amount of wastewater that enters the tank.
When deciding how often to have your septic tank pumped, it’s best to consult a professional. A septic system expert can evaluate your septic tank, septic field, and the number of people in your home to determine how often it should be pumped. The expert can also recommend ways to prevent septic tank problems and help you develop a maintenance schedule that’s right for your situation.
A septic tank service provider typically uses a large vacuum hose to remove the sludge and scum from the septic tank. They can also inspect the tank and septic system for cracks or other issues that may require repairs. Once the septic tank is empty, the service provider can clean the inlet and outlet baffles and ensure they are in good condition.
Some septic tank owners use septic system additives to speed up the natural breakdown of organic solids in the tank. However, these additives can damage the beneficial bacteria in the septic tank and lead to more sludge and scum. In addition, they can reduce the tank’s ability to treat wastewater and can lead to a clogged drain field.
Signs
Many homes in rural areas use septic systems to handle their wastewater. While these tanks can be more expensive than a public sewer system, they offer significant cost-savings over the long term. Properly maintaining these systems can reduce the need for costly repairs and even extend the lifespan of the tank itself. One of the most important steps in septic system maintenance is regularly pumping the tank. This process removes the solid waste, known as sludge, and prevents it from building up in the drain field and causing backups and other problems. Knowing the signs that your septic tank is full can help you avoid the inconvenience and expense of a sewage leak or overflow.
Foul odors are one of the most obvious indications that it is time to pump your septic tank. These odors can be detected inside the house or around the septic tank area. When the septic tank reaches capacity, odor-causing gases have no place to escape. The result is often a pungent, sickly smell that can be overwhelming and can even be dangerous to your health if inhaled over prolonged periods of time.
Another sign that the septic tank needs to be pumped is slow drainage throughout the home. If toilets and sinks take longer to drain than usual, it is a sign that the tank is full and cannot process the waste being added to it. In this case, you should contact a professional to have the tank pumped as soon as possible.
If you notice water pooling in the yard near your septic tank, it is also a warning signal. Standing water can contain harmful bacteria and should be addressed immediately. The solution may require the installation of a new drain field or the repair of an existing one.
Other less-obvious signs that it is time to have the septic tank pumped include a sluggish garbage disposal or unexplained gurgling noises when using water. These sounds are caused by air pockets that form in the lines, preventing liquids from flowing through them as they should. A septic tank that is overflowing can also create a muddy surface in the yard, making it more difficult to tell where the drain field begins and ends.
Avoiding Common Mistakes
There are many things you can do to help your septic system function as it should. This includes sticking to a pumping schedule, keeping accurate records, watching for predictive signs of trouble and avoiding flushing non-biodegradable materials like kitty litter, sanitary products, cigarette butts, and fabrics down the toilet or sink.
A poorly maintained septic system can lead to expensive repairs and even complete failure. Regular pumping ensures that solid waste doesn’t overflow into the drain field and reduces the amount of sludge that needs to be removed from the tank. A septic system that isn’t pumped regularly will quickly fill up, which is much harder to deal with than a tank that is regularly emptied.
When wastewater enters your septic tank, lighter solids rise to the top as scum, while heavier solids sink and compile as sludge. This separation keeps these substances from clogging pipes and straining soil absorption areas. But solids can also overflow into your plumbing if the tank isn’t pumped on time, or illegally flushed items make their way to the system. This reduces functionality and increases the risk of costly repairs or a system replacement.
A septic tank that is located too close to trees or shrubs can also cause problems. The roots of these plants can penetrate the walls of the tank or break the inlet and outlet ports. They can also extend into the septic system, clogging drain lines and leach fields.
If you plan to plant anything around your septic tank or leach field, consult a septic professional first. It is recommended to plant vegetation with roots that will not extend into these areas. In addition, you should avoid building structures or paving over the inlet or outlet ports. These can damage the pumps, and prevent them from operating properly.
Another important factor to consider is the size of your household. Larger households can overfill a tank faster than smaller ones. Other factors that can affect a septic tank’s capacity include the amount of water used daily, if there are children in the home, and the type of cleaners and other chemicals being flushed.
