A septic tank is a container that disposes of wastewater. It’s usually used in areas where the buildings aren't connected to a central sewage system. To ensure optimal operation, a septic tank needs to be pumped out regularly to work properly. If neglected like many systems, it often leads to rundowns that can be expensive to repair. Be sure to read our septic tank cleaning blog to fully educate yourself on the process and how to avoid neglecting your septic system.
To clean or pump out your tank by yourself, here's what you need to do;
1. You need to locate where your tank is situated on the premises. Look for a sewer point around your house and follow it. It will likely lead you to your tank. You don't have to wait for your septic tank cleaning expert to locate the tank, as doing to yourself will save you time, and maybe some money.
2. Use a shovel or other effective digging tools to dig the dirt out till you reveal the top of the tank. You should find an access port cover which should be tight and strong. Sometimes risers are placed over the lid. This makes it easy for you to locate the exact spot where the septic tank is.
3. Check if there are any cracks. Start from the lid to the inside and check for any damages as cracks can cause your system to fail. Hence ensure that you have any visible cracks or imperfections fixed if you notice any. Keep an eye out for any parts that are rusted or broken around the outlet and inlet of the drainage pipes. At this point in time, you may also use a core sampler tool with a plug at the bottom to figure out if you need to clean out your tank, or if it can go for another year or so before a full cleaning. Use the core sampling tool by simply inserting it into the bottom of your septic tank and once you feel the core sampler hit the very bottom pull up on the small rope to insert the plug into the bottom end of the sampler.
While the tank is open, run water from inside the house and watch if it flows freely into the tank, this will indicate if there's a clog along the pipes.
If you find any buildup of scum, you have to first find out just how bad it is:
-Get a ten-foot long pipe.
- Get another pipe and attach them together using some PVC cement. Your final product should look 'L' shaped.
- Use PVC caps to cover each end so that they are watertight.
- Gently lower the stick into the tank until it’s hitting the very bottom.
- Mark the point where the scum stops on the stick.
- Push the stick deeper into the scum. When you get through, the stick will move freer through the water than when you were pushing through the oil and grease scum.
- Use the stick to mark again where the scum ends. Use tape to mark the distance between the two scum marks.
- If the measured distance is more than 3 inches, then your tank needs to be cleaned by you or a professional septic tank cleaning service near you.
- Follow the first 3 steps of testing for scum above.
- After you cap the ends, wrap some white material around one end, make sure its secure by using tape or string.
- Push your stick down into the scum hole.
- Hold it there for a few minutes, perhaps 3-5 minutes, the longer the better.
- Pull it up but hold it steady and try not to let it run unto the stick. Keep it aside gently.
- Measure the amount of stain you see. The length will determine whether it needs to be pumped if the sludge in the tank is up to a third of the stick, it needs to be pumped and if up to five inches of the pipe, then the tank needs to be pumped.
Some homeowners and commercial business owners prefer or want to learn how to clean out their own septic tanks but for those who don't, we have a more modern and safer way to do it. Hiring a local septic tank pumping truck service is easy to do and will usually not set you back too much money, and the cost of the tank cleaning is justified as better use of your personal time or leisure time on the weekend.
Septic tank cleaning performed by a septic pumper truck service is fast, efficient, and will be performed by an insured and properly licensed septic service contractor. This way you may not save a few hundred dollars but you can rest easy knowing the tank cleaning procedure will be done correctly and professionally. From a health perspective, you will have extra peace of mind knowing that you never had to come in direct contact with any kind of bacteria or raw sewage.
The Importance of Safety Precautions When Cleaning Septic Tanks
Note: Always be sure to wear protective eyeglasses and special clothing, and take the necessary safety precautions before engaging with your septic tank.
Septic tank cleaning is a complicated and dirty process, but one which needs to be done on a regular schedule in order to extend the life of your septic system or onsite wastewater sewage disposal system. Stay informed by reaching out to us at our main website by clicking right here. Thanks for reading our page on the process of septic tank cleaning principles and regulations.