Every day, wastewater ends up in your septic system. It passes from your drains into the tank, where bacteria break it down. Solid waste settles at the bottom and forms a layer known as sludge, while the liquid waste, called effluent, floats on top.
Septic Tank Cleaning Perth helps balance these layers so your septic system works properly. They are available in liquid or powder form and can be used regularly to prevent expensive repairs.
The septic tank is a large, underground container that holds wastewater from your toilets, showers, sinks, washing machines and garbage disposal. Solid waste sinks to the bottom, and oil, fats and other liquids float to the top of the wastewater. Bacteria in the septic tank break down this material and transform it into a clear liquid known as effluent. This liquid drains out of the septic tank into a buried absorption field, where it is filtered further by soil layers before reaching groundwater.
If your septic system is not properly maintained, harmful sewage can back up into your home or into groundwater supplies. If this happens, you will need to remove and replace the entire septic system, which can cost more than $10,000.
A septic tank is typically made from concrete, fiberglass or polyethylene, which are strong, durable materials that won’t crack while underground. It has an inspection port or pipe that allows people to look inside and check for leaks. It also has a manhole on the top, which is used to access and empty the tank.
To keep a septic system functioning correctly, you need to schedule routine septic tank cleaning. This prevents solids from building up in the tank and exiting into the absorption field, which can clog your drains and cause odors. It’s also important to avoid using harsh chemicals in your home, as they can kill the bacteria that break down sewage.
Many homeowners choose to use septic tank treatment products, such as Rid-X, to help the bacteria break down solids and oils. These products can be purchased online or at local hardware stores, but they should only be used as directed. These chemicals may damage septic tanks and the absorption field, and they can also enter groundwater supplies.
Septic systems are a popular choice for homes in rural areas because they offer an alternative to city sewer systems. However, you should only consider buying a house with a septic system if you’re willing to maintain it and have a backup plan if the septic system fails.
How does a septic tank work?
Septic tanks are buried, water-tight containers made from concrete, fiberglass, or polyethylene. They hold wastewater long enough for solids and oils to separate from liquid waste. The sludge layer of poop and other organic material settles at the bottom of the tank while oil and other grease floats to the top as scum. Compartments and a T-shaped outlet prevent the sludge and scum from leaving the tank and traveling into the drain field. Bacteria inside the tank break down a portion of the sludge and scum, leaving a clean-smelling liquid called effluent.
The liquid drains through underground pipes into the septic system’s drain field, a perforated field of gravel and soil. The gravel and soil act as biological filters to purify the wastewater before it reaches groundwater. If anything gets into the drain field it can plug the holes and cause a clog in the pipes, or it can fill the spaces between the gravel where the wastewater soaks into the soil.
Keeping up with tank maintenance is key to keeping your septic system healthy. Have your septic tank pumped regularly to keep it from overflowing and blocking the drain lines. Avoid putting items in your toilets that are not safe for the septic system, such as sanitary products, paint, cleaning supplies, oil, animal fats, hair, dental floss, and paper towels. These items clog pipes and don’t degrade or break down quickly, so they will build up in the septic tank over time.
The more sludge and scum in the tank, the more often it will need to be emptied. You may be able to tell the tank is full when your drains are backed up or slower than usual, or when you see puddles of water in your yard near the septic tank.
A septic system that’s overflowing or clogged will require professional septic tank pumping and repair services. It’s also important to map out your septic system and mark the location of its components with permanent stakes in your yard so you don’t accidentally damage them when doing home repairs or landscaping. It’s also a good idea to avoid driving or parking vehicles or equipment over the septic system or its absorption field.
What are the benefits of septic tank cleaning?
When it comes to your home’s plumbing system, preventative maintenance is always a smart investment. That’s because cleaning your septic tank and maintaining it regularly can prevent costly repairs down the road.
The main benefit of septic tank cleaning is that it allows you to extend the life of your septic system. It also helps ensure that your household waste is properly disposed of and doesn’t cause harm to the surrounding environment.
A professional septic tank inspector will use a hose to insert into the septic tank’s manhole and vacuum out the contents of the tank. This is a very hazardous job and should be performed by experts with the proper equipment to prevent accidents. For example, falling into an open septic tank can cause death from suffocation or drowning.
The inspector will then measure the scum and sludge layers in the tank to determine whether or not it needs to be emptied. A general rule of thumb is that if the bottom of the scum layer is within six inches of the septic tank’s preventative outlet or the top of the sludge layer is within 12 inches, then the septic tank will need to be drained. Keeping records of these inspections can help you better anticipate when your tank will need to be pumped.
Regular septic tank cleanings can also be beneficial for your septic system’s drain field. The drain field is responsible for further treating and separating the effluent from the soil. Excessive sludge buildup can clog the drain field lines and prevent the effluent from flowing properly into the soil. This can lead to soggy or flooded areas in the yard and foul waste odors inside the house.
In addition, neglected septic tanks can lead to the failure of the entire septic system. This can result in expensive repairs and even the replacement of the entire system, which can significantly decrease the value of your property. In order to prevent this, you should have your septic tank cleaned regularly and avoid flushing anything that can’t be decomposed by the septic system, including coffee grounds, cat litter, dental floss, hair clippings, cigarette butts, diapers, oily waste, paints, thinners, pesticides, and excessive amounts of household chemicals.
How often should I have my septic tank cleaned?
Many people don’t give their septic systems too much thought until something goes wrong and they have sewage backing up into their home. This can be an extremely unpleasant and dangerous situation, so it’s important to have your septic system cleaned on a regular basis. The best way to do this is by having your septic tank pumped.
Generally, septic tanks need to be pumped every three to five years. However, this depends on the size of the tank and how frequently it is used. A tank with a larger capacity will need to be pumped more often than one with a smaller capacity. Also, the number of people living in a household can affect how frequently the septic tank needs to be emptied. A household with more people will produce more waste and use more soaps and detergents that can build up in the septic tank.
If you don’t have your septic tank pumped regularly, it can overflow and leak sewage into the surrounding yard or drainfield. This can cause a health risk for you and your family and can also damage your property.
A septic tank that isn’t properly cleaned can also leach harmful bacteria into nearby waterways and drinking water wells. This can lead to health problems for humans and animals and may even cause disease. In addition, excess nutrients from the septic system can cause toxic algae to grow in local waterbodies. This can deplete the water of oxygen and kill fish and other aquatic life.
When you have your septic tank cleaned, the technician will check the tank for any signs of physical damage. They will also look for cracks or leaks in the tank itself and the surrounding piping. They will also check for any clogs in the septic tank outlet and in the drain field.
The septic tank cleaning process will involve draining the septic tank and then pumping out the sludge and scum layers. If you want your septic tank to be as clean as possible, make sure to tell the septic tank cleaning company that you want both compartments of the tank pumped out. This is because some septic tank cleaners will only hose down one side of the septic tank, leaving solids and sludge behind on the other side.