How to Tell If Your Septic Tank Needs Cleaning
A well-maintained septic system is vital to your home and the environment. Cleaning your septic tank regularly prevents costly damage and allows for optimal functionality.
The septic system works by sorting waste from water into heavier solid materials (known as sludge) and lighter liquids (called scum). Adding non-biodegradable material, pouring drain cleaner, or dumping heavy vehicle loads into the tank can clog pipes, kill bacteria, and disrupt the natural treatment process. Click Here for more details.
If you’ve noticed a foul smell in your yard, near your drains or even inside your home, this is a red flag that your septic tank is full and needs cleaning. The foul odor is caused by hydrogen sulfide gasses produced as waste breaks down in the tank.
When the septic system isn’t cleaned, solid materials can build up in the tank and the pipes leading to it. This will lead to clogs that prevent wastewater from properly flowing into the absorption field. It’s also possible for these solids to get into the water supply line and contaminate your drinking water.
A septic tank typically has an inlet and outlet baffle that prevent solids from entering or leaving the tank. When these tees become clogged, it can cause wastewater to back up into your drains or stop completely.
The main cause of septic tank clogs is flushing non-flushable items into the system, such as wipes or chemicals. Even though these items are listed as ‘flushable,’ they can clog the pipes going to and from the septic tank. Another common cause of septic tank clogs are fats, oils and grease. When these substances clog the drains in your home, it can lead to raw sewage backing up into the house and causing significant damage.
A professional plumber can use a variety of tools to help you unclog your septic tank and the lines leading from it. They can also recommend preventative measures to keep your septic system working efficiently, such as using less water, fixing leaks, and spreading out laundry loads throughout the week.
If you have a septic system, it’s important to have routine pumping and cleaning services. It’s a lot cheaper to have these services performed every few years than it is to deal with a septic system failure and the associated costs. If you’re concerned about your septic system, call Gurney J. Bush for expert analysis and prompt service that will keep your septic tank and plumbing system running smoothly. We’ll make sure your septic tank isn’t overflowing or full of toxic sludge, so you can enjoy peace of mind knowing it’s safe and functioning as it should.
Odors
If you smell foul odors on your property, it could be the sign of a failing septic tank. A dirty septic system can also cause sewage backups, which are hazardous for your family’s health and can destroy your home. If you notice septic tank odors, it’s time to schedule a cleaning or pumping service.
A septic tank cleaning includes the use of a high-powered water jet to remove waste from your septic system. This is a safe and effective way to eliminate bad odors, and it prevents your septic tank from getting full. The water jet can clear out clogs and break down solid waste that cannot be broken down by bacteria.
The water jet also flushes out the septic tank’s drain field, which is a series of perforated pipes that distributes wastewater into your soil. This helps prevent odors from escaping into your home and allows the bacteria to continue breaking down the solid waste.
Septic tanks have a separate layer for liquid waste and a layer for solid waste. The solid waste settles in the bottom of the tank and forms a sludge layer. The liquid waste, or effluent, floats on top of the sludge. The septic tank cover keeps the liquid waste from reaching the surface and causing odors.
When your septic tank is full, the liquid waste can’t take the place of the old waste. The septic tank’s vent stack sends the gases that form in the septic tank to the outside air, but leaves and other debris can block this vent. When this happens, the odors can get into your home.
Septic tank odors can also be caused by anaerobic bacteria that live in the septic tank and don’t have access to oxygen. These bacteria can produce toxic gasses that cause foul odors.
Regular septic tank cleaning and inspections can help you avoid the problems that can lead to expensive septic system repairs. The best way to ensure your septic system is working correctly is to have it pumped and cleaned at least every three years. If you have a large household, more frequent cleanings may be necessary. You should also make sure the lid to your maintenance access is secure and that there are no clogs in the plumbing that leads from the septic tank to your home.
Damage
If you’ve ever noticed that your septic system is not working as it should, there are several signs that indicate it is time for cleaning. These include a foul smell, standing water in the yard or around the drainfield, and sewage back ups into the home. If any of these occur, call a professional right away.
Having your septic tank regularly pumped is the best way to prevent damage and keep it functioning properly. During the pumping process, liquids and floating solids are removed from the tank. This helps to restore the bacterial biome in the tank and ensures that solids are processed quickly. A good rule of thumb is to have your septic tank pumped when the scum layer is within six inches of the top of the preventative outlet or the sludge layer is above the inlet baffle.
Overloading the septic system by extending the time between septic tank cleanings can also cause damage. This occurs when the septic tank is overfilled, causing wastewater to seep out of the drain field and into the surrounding soil, water, and air. This can pollute local water sources with harmful bacteria and other pollutants.
Untreated sewage can contaminate nearby groundwater, lakes, rivers, and streams with harmful bacteria, pathogens, and nutrients. This can have devastating effects on ecosystems and human health.
If you have a septic tank, it is important to educate your family members on what should not be washed down the drains or flushed down the toilet. This includes paper towels, sanitary products, ‘flushable’ wipes, cigarette butts, and other items that don’t decompose. This will help prevent clogs and other problems that can be expensive to fix.
It is also important to avoid putting powerful cleaning solutions down the drain, which can harm bacteria and reduce septic system function. This is especially true if you have an older septic system. Many commercial cleaners and disinfectants contain chemicals that can kill bacteria and prevent them from processing sewage effectively.
Health
Septic tank cleaning is one of the best ways to protect your home and family from hazardous gasses. These gasses can leak from a failing septic system and enter the living areas of your house, creating an unpleasant smell. They can also cause a variety of health problems, including sinus infections and respiratory issues. Regular septic tank cleaning eliminates these issues and keeps your family healthy.
Another reason to regularly clean your septic tank is to protect the drainage field from clogs. Clogged septic systems can result in wastewater overflowing into waterways, which can lead to water pollution and harm human and aquatic life. Routine septic tank cleaning can prevent this by keeping the inlet baffle from becoming clogged with toilet paper, solid waste, and other debris.
Keeping your septic tank cleaned can help protect your home’s value as well. A septic system that isn’t properly maintained can cost homeowners thousands of dollars in repairs and replacements. However, if you regularly have your septic tank inspected and cleaned, it can last much longer and continue to function properly. This can save you money and keep your home’s value high.
If you do decide to sell your home, maintaining a regularly cleaned septic system can also boost its value. Potential buyers will see that you’ve taken care of the septic system and may be willing to pay more for your home.
When it comes to septic tank cleaning, it’s important to hire an experienced professional. A septic service provider can inspect your system to ensure there are no clogs or leaks and can measure the scum and sludge layers to determine how often your tank should be pumped.
It’s also important to keep children and pets away from the area where septic tank cleaning is taking place. They can be curious about the work and could come into contact with harmful bacteria or cleaning chemicals. Lastly, be sure to use caution when entering the tank itself, as it can contain toxic fumes. If you have questions about septic tank cleaning or want to schedule your next appointment, contact our team today!