Septic tank pumping, inspections and cleaning services are key to a healthy septic system. They help manage day-to-day waste accumulation and reset your septic system to improve long-term performance.
Avoid damaging system components when tackling yard work or other projects on your property. This could lead to clogs or leaky pipes that threaten your home’s plumbing. Reach out to Septic Service Fresno for expert assistance.
The most common and perhaps best-known of septic tank services, septic tank pumping removes the solid waste that settles at the bottom of your septic tank. It also gets rid of the floating fats, oils, and grease that accumulate at the top. These can block drain lines or cause them to overflow, resulting in a foul odor that could enter the house.
The solid waste in your septic tank eventually breaks down under the action of anaerobic bacteria, turning it into a liquid known as effluent. This liquid flows out of the septic tank through a series of porous pipes, typically bedded in gravel, and into a drain field where soil microbes complete the treatment process. Without the removal of solids, the effluent would be unable to filter through the soil. This would lead to clogged and failing drain fields, as well as groundwater contamination, which can cause illnesses such as typhoid fever, hepatitis, and dysentery.
It’s important to maintain a regular schedule of septic tank pumping so that solids build up less often and the liquid effluent does not overflow into your septic system or drain field. You can help prevent excessive buildup by keeping track of what goes down your drains, educating household members on the importance of only flushing human waste and toilet paper, and refusing to let children or pets use the bathroom. You can also keep your septic tank functioning properly by avoiding extra-long showers and running the garbage disposal more than necessary.
Septic tank service technicians begin the pumping process by locating your septic tank, which is usually buried underground. They uncover the lid and then set up a large hose that connects to their vacuum truck. This truck functions like a giant vacuum cleaner, designed specifically for the dense and smelly sludge that accumulates in septic tanks. Once the hose is connected, the technician begins extracting the contents of your septic tank, including the water, solids, and sludge.
The process takes a few hours, after which the septic tank is empty and ready to be refilled with fresh, clean sewage. It’s a good idea to have the tank pumped in early fall so that you’re prepared for increased usage during winter holidays and family gatherings.
Inspection
If you notice slow draining or bad smells coming from your yard, it could be a sign of a septic system problem. Regular inspections keep your system working smoothly and protect your home’s value. They also help you meet local rules and regulations. For example, a health department may require soil tests to make sure that the drain field can handle water and waste effectively.
A professional’s thorough inspections catch small issues before they turn into big headaches. They can save you money on costly repairs and keep your septic system running smoothly. And a clean, well-functioning septic system is a big selling point when you’re ready to sell your house.
Repair
In addition to cutting pollution, septic systems also provide important health benefits for households. Septic tank systems remove dangerous bacteria from wastewater before it enters the ground, and they help plants and wildlife thrive by recycling nutrient-rich water into soil.
A properly functioning septic system also helps prevent groundwater contamination. If the septic system malfunctions, it could send untreated wastewater into the groundwater supply, which would affect residents’ drinking water and the environment. However, septic tank services can diagnose problems and repair them before they become worse.
As with the human digestive tract, the septic system needs healthy bacteria to function well. Septic tank bacteria break down waste and toxins, but they can’t do their jobs without homeowners’ help. This is why it’s so important to watch what goes down the drain.
For instance, it’s crucial to avoid flushing gallons of water down the drain at once—such as multiple family members taking showers at the same time. Likewise, avoid pouring chemicals into the system like drain cleaners and kitchen grease. Instead, dispose of these products at a county-designated chemical disposal location.
Septic tanks need to be inspected on a regular basis. During an inspection, the tank’s baffles are looked at for signs of damage or wear and tear. If a baffle is damaged, it may not separate solid waste from liquids properly. Replacing the baffles will improve the septic tank’s efficiency and longevity, saving homeowners money in the long run.
The septic tank’s inlet and outlet pipes are also checked during a septic tank inspection. If the pipes are clogged, the professional will recommend repairs or replacements. This can include repairing cracks in the tank walls and replacing baffles.
Other important steps in septic tank maintenance involve protecting the absorption field from overgrowth and building structures that can cover or obstruct the system’s components or the leach field. This includes keeping vehicles and equipment away from the septic system. It’s also best not to plant trees, shrubs or flowers near the septic tank and absorption field because they can cause root intrusions.
Maintenance
Septic systems rely on bacteria to breakdown and process waste, much like the human digestive tract. Keeping up with the maintenance of your septic system will ensure that these bacteria have everything they need to operate at peak performance. This means regularly pumping your tank and having a professional inspection done every 3 to 5 years.
In addition to regularly scheduled septic tank pumping and regular inspections, there are other things you can do to help your system perform well. Be sure to monitor what goes into your septic system and only flush human waste, toilet paper, and biodegradable soaps, shampoos, and detergents. Never pour chemicals like paint thinner, antifreeze, and other household cleaners down the drain as they will kill the bacteria that keep your septic system clean.
Avoid covering or obstructing your septic tank, pipes, and drain field with asphalt, concrete, driveways, storage buildings, or structures. Planting trees or driving heavy vehicles over your septic system can cause damage to the tanks, pipes, and drain field. Additionally, if you cover the drain field with grass or other impermeable surface your septic system may be unable to treat your wastewater properly.
Using field service software can make it easier for your septic system business to stay on top of customer maintenance. This type of software allows you to store customer information in a database and track service/preventative maintenance agreements. It also streamlines your scheduling ability and provides a clear view of workload for all of your team members.
Keeping up with septic tank maintenance will keep your home running smoothly and prevent costly repairs. By ensuring your septic tank is pumped when needed and having it professionally inspected every few years you can avoid costly sewage backups, system failures, and smelly septic system malfunctions. With these simple tips, your septic tank will last for decades to come and continue to help your family stay healthy.