I recently bought a house with a septic tank for the very first time. I thought I was prepared, but I really had no idea what I was getting into. Shortly after we moved in, the septic tank backed up. I had to call for emergency septic services to have it pumped and taken care of. That's when I learned that I had overlooked some of the signs that the tank needed to be emptied. I created this site to share my experience and the tips that I learned along the way. My goal is to help others avoid the same septic problems that I have dealt with.
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Your septic system is an eco-conscious and reliable method of safely eliminating wastewater from your home. Although they are not designed as wastewater treatment systems, the components of your septic system do efficiently and harmlessly disperse waste into the environment. To perform this essential job, however, your septic system must be pumped periodically. Despite the importance of this regular maintenance task, homeowners are often confused about why and how often it should be performed. This article will discuss three common misconceptions about septic pumping so that you can keep your septic system running smoothly.
You Can Easily Judge The Level From Above
Many septic tank owners believe that they can easily check the level of their tank from the manhole cover or riser. While there are methods that can provide an accurate reading of the tank's buildup level, merely looking in the tank is not enough. A properly operating septic tank will be filled nearly to the top to allow liquid waste to escape through the outlet. In fact, the level of liquid in a septic tank is rarely a concern unless it falls too low. The primary issue is the amount of solid waste (commonly referred to as sludge) that has built up on the bottom of the tank. Measuring this sludge is significantly more complicated than simply taking a look inside of the tank.
You Should Wait Until Your System Clogs Before Cleaning
This reactive approach to septic tank maintenance is perhaps the most damaging option that you can take. When sludge builds up to unsafe levels in the bottom of the tank, it is more likely that solid waste will escape through the outlet and into your drainage field. The pipes in your drainage field are designed to carry liquid effluent, not solid waste. Any solids that enter the drainage field may clog the pipes or distribution system, ultimately forcing you to spend significant amounts of money to clear the clog or even replace the entire field.
You Can Use a One-Size-Fits-All Pumping Schedule
There's plenty of conventional wisdom revolving around how often you should have your septic tank pumped. Recommendations can range from every other year to every 3 - 5 years. With so much conflicting information, you may be wondering which option is right for your home. The reality is that every home is unique, and following a one-size-fits-all pumping strategy is rarely the right way to go. An interval that's too short will waste money, but a schedule that's too long can easily result in a clogged system and expensive repairs. Instead, start with short intervals and be sure to have your tank's sludge levels inspected before cleaning. Based on the level of sludge buildup, you can shorten or extend your cleaning interval as necessary.
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