If your home is not hooked up to a municipal sewage system, you have a septic tank. As such, it needs regular maintenance to function properly.

Understand septic services so you know what to expect when the plumber visits for inspections and pumping. This article will cover the following topics: Pumping, Inspection, Cleaning, and Installation. Contact The Septic Guys for professional help.

A septic tank holds waste, wastewater and sewage from a home’s drain pipes and toilets. A septic system also includes a drainfield or soil absorption field that completes the treatment of the waste and wastewater.

The septic system’s main function is to separate solids and floatable materials from the waste water that enters the septic tank. It also promotes partial breakdown of contaminants by microorganisms naturally present in the waste water. The liquid waste (effluent) passes out of the septic tank and through a series of underground perforated pipes into the drainfield.

When a septic tank becomes full of solid waste, it must be pumped out. A septic services contractor will use a large truck with a tanker-like trailer to remove the waste from the septic tank and dispose of it properly. Most septic systems should be pumped about every three years to prevent build-up and reduce the risk of problems with the drainfield.

If a septic system is not pumped regularly, solids that float in the liquid waste can clog the absorption field. This can lead to a septic system failure and costly repairs. To avoid this, find a septic service company that recommends regular pumping for your septic tank and advises you when to schedule cleanings and inspections.

You can help septic systems function at their best by using water efficiently, following “do not flush rules” and keeping the area around the drainfield clear of trees, shrubs and other plants that may cause root infiltration.

A well-functioning septic system will allow you to enjoy all of the benefits of modern plumbing without having to think about sewage waste disposal. A septic system can only hold so much water at one time, so it is important to keep up with routine maintenance, including septic tank cleaning and inspections and by avoiding flushing items that should not go in the septic system.

Harsh chemicals can kill off the bacteria in a septic tank, and non-biodegradable substances such as cooking oil, “flushable” wipes, diapers and cat litter can clog your drains. Having a trustworthy septic service company that offers quality services will save you money, make your home safer and help protect the environment.

Inspection

In a hot real estate market, some homebuyers may be tempted to save time by skipping the septic system inspection. This can be a mistake, as it’s one of the most important points-of-sale inspections. The septic tank and the drain field are crucial parts of any sewage system, and inspections help keep them healthy and working properly.

During an inspection, a technician first examines the surface signs of issues like ponding water or effluent seepage. They also look at the condition of the access lids and baffles. The septic tank is then accessed and the levels of sludge and scum are measured. If the tank is overfull, it will likely need to be pumped. In addition, the inlet and outlet pipes are checked to ensure they’re free of blockage or damage.

A thorough inspection also examines the drain field, which is a network of perforated pipes buried in shallow gravel-filled trenches. It’s important to maintain the drain field to prevent wastewater from leaking into the soil, where it could enter your house or cause health and environmental problems. A septic inspection can help identify drainfield issues, including root intrusion and clogs.

If a septic tank is overfull or experiencing other issues, blackwater (sewage) can back up into toilets and sinks. It can also flow into the surrounding area, leaving a wet, mushy yard that’s often accompanied by bad odors and flies. In severe cases, the drain field can even fail, resulting in costly repairs and exposure to harmful bacteria.

Regular septic tank maintenance is the best way to avoid expensive repairs and prevent failure, but even the most diligent homeowners can have problems from time to time. Fortunately, there are many things that can be done to reduce the risk of system failure, such as:

Cleaning

Septic systems provide a hygienic and convenient way to dispose of liquid and solid waste. However, septic tanks can become overwhelmed by waste over time and may require cleaning services. These cleaning services help prevent clogs, sewage backups, and other major issues that can compromise your home’s plumbing. Septic cleaning services include pumping septic tanks, inspecting tanks and pipes, and performing other maintenance activities like filter cleaning.

If your septic system is not properly cleaned, it can lead to a variety of problems, from foul odors in your drains to sewage backups in your shower. To keep your septic system working properly, you should hire an experienced company to perform regular septic tank cleanings. Depending on the size of your home and how much you use it, your septic system will need to be pumped every 1 to 3 years.

When you hire a septic cleaning service, they will first pump out the sludge that has accumulated in your septic tank. They will also inspect the septic tank and its components, including inlet and exit baffles. They will also clean the drain field lines and conduct visual inspections of the septic tank, leach fields, and the filter.

The most common causes of septic tank failure are improper waste disposal and infrequent cleaning. It is important to only flush items that are designed to be disposed of in the septic system, such as paper towels, toilet tissue, and cooking grease. Anything else can disrupt the bacteria that break down waste and cause it to overflow, leading to a clogged septic tank or overflowing leach fields.

Septic tank problems can cause serious environmental damage and pose a health risk for your family. To protect your family’s health and the environment, you should prioritize septic tank cleanings by hiring an experienced septic cleaning service. By ensuring that your septic tank is properly cleaned, you can minimize the impact it has on the environment and extend its lifespan. The best septic tank services will be reliable and trustworthy, offering you the peace of mind that comes with knowing your septic system is in good hands.

Installation

A septic system is an on-site wastewater treatment solution for homes and commercial properties that are not connected to the public sewer system. It manages wastewater from sinks, toilets, washing machines and laundry with a natural and technological process that begins in an underground tank and ends in a soil drain field (also called a lateral) or a sand filter in your yard.

Wastewater exits your home through a drainage pipe and into the septic tank, which is buried underground and watertight. The septic tank separates the wastewater into various components: solids settle to the bottom (sludge), and fats, oils and grease float to the top of the tank (scum). The bacteria in the septic tank destroy some of the contaminants. The septic tank should be pumped on a regular basis.

One of the most important tasks to keep up with is preventing clogs, as they can be costly to repair and will decrease your septic tank’s life expectancy. Preventative maintenance from professional septic services ensures that you will not experience these costly problems and will continue to enjoy the maximum lifespan of your septic system.

You will know that it is time to call septic services when your toilets, sinks and showers drain more slowly than normal or you notice a bad smell in the bathroom. Another sign is that your drainfield is no longer percolating. This can mean that the soil is contaminated, the septic tank is overflowing or your drainfield was not installed correctly by the previous owner.

Sewer lines can be damaged by vehicles driving on them, plant roots or animals. If the problem is not corrected, it can lead to wastewater backing up into your house. Biros Septic can inspect your sewer line and make any repairs as needed.

Septic systems need to be regularly maintained in order to function properly. This prevents clogs and system failure, which could be costly to your family or business. In addition to septic tank cleaning and inspection, the team at Pierce Septic offers grading services to prepare sites for new construction or landscaping projects.