A septic tank is a plastic or concrete container that's fitted under the ground and serves as the reservoir where all wastewater drained from inside the house flows into. It releases this effluent and bacteria impregnated water into the surrounding soil without causing contamination to the area or the household.
In a septic tank, solid waste settles to the bottom and scum rises to the top. Excess liquid goes out to the drain field, either by gravity or with a septic pump. If the system has an effluent filter learn how to clean and care for it. If a pump system with alarm is present, periodically test the alarm for function. Bacteria break down solids in the tank but they need to be pumped out periodically. Septic tanks are usually found in non-urban areas where there are no centralized municipal sewer systems. Sometimes, they are found in old houses; those that were built before the main sewers line was installed in the city.
Do not put anything heavy on the ground over your tank or drain field, such as a shed, parked car or RV, cement, asphalt, or above ground pool. These can damage the tank and pipes, compromise the effectiveness of the drain field, and are in violation of laws in most jurisdictions.
Without proper maintenance, your septic tank will not work effectively. Ensuring good maintenance practices would ensure that you don't spend a lot of money on future repairs and that your environment stays safe and healthy. Knowing what you need to know about septic tank maintenance isn't too difficult, especially when you have our septic tank cleaning news blog as a sounding board.
Everything that pours down a drain in your house, from the kitchen sink, shower or washing machine, and dishwasher, ends up in your septic tank. It’s very important then, that you are careful about what you actually allow into the tank.
As has already been pointed out, replacing any parts of the septic tank can be a very expensive endeavor hence, it’s best to ensure that your septic tank is maintained periodically in order to avoid expensive repairs. Cut down all large trees and shrubs near tank and drain (leach field). Keep it clear of roots; the roots of trees can damage pipes and the tank. Be especially careful of trees with aggressive root systems such as maple, willow, poplar and oak trees. If you are committed to caring for your septic tank, it will last much longer. Proper septic tank pumping ensures that solids don't accumulate at the bottom of the tank and that the groundwater doesn't get contaminated. Do this regularly and your septic tank can last you up to 40 years.
1. Be responsible
Ensure that you regularly pump your septic tank so that the solids don't accumulate. The resultant overflow to the surrounding area is mostly a resultant effect of negligence, plus this can turn toxic, talk less of the bad odor!
Be sure that you understand when pumping should be done and that you responsibly do it at those intervals.
2. Jetting with High-Pressure Water
Drain pipes in the septic tank can get clogged regardless of regular pumping. This is normal because as they pass, some of the dirt will get stuck in the pipe. High pressure jetting will forcefully push out the debris and leave the pipes clear so that dirt water passes freely. This high-pressure water jetting can be done once every three to five years.
3. Bacteria Additives Can Help
Using organic bacteria and microbes that are alive has the capacity to break down substances that are not natural, as well as solids like soaps particles and detergent that can flow with effluent wastewater into the septic tank. The 10 best septic tank additives of 2018 are reviewed below in the following YouTube video. Ultraviolet disinfection is currently being tested to lower coliform levels in septic effluent but the true effectiveness of such (UVD)unit testing is not yet confirmed.
The self-contained septic system does not perform well with excess water diluting the bacteria or the overuse of strong cleaners. Common household chemicals such as bleach and antibacterial products, kill the helpful bacteria that populates the septic tank. Too much water or use of water softeners can flush out and dilute the bacteria growing in the tank. This weakens the overall natural system and can lead to a buildup of sewage.
This may eventually restrict the outlet pipe or clog the drain field. The concern is that a backup will occur. Sewage backup is never pleasant. Dirty, smelly, and potentially damaging, a backup may require emergency pumping and even drain field replacement. Edward Horbachuk tells us that this accumulation of solids in the holding tank can easily go undetected until it backs up into the residential or commercial building. There is never a good time to deal with messes of this caliber. Backup is the first sign of a septic system failure.
These unnatural substances kill the natural bacteria that ensure your septic tank works efficiently. Using bacteria additives replenishes these lost bacteria and help keep your pipes clean and free from odor, and the whole system properly functioning.
4. An Efficient Effluent Filter Is Required
A filter blocks the path of solids, making sure they don't pass through into the drain field. These effluent filters should be cleaned out on a regular basis and replaced when necessary. Some septic systems, and or tanks, do not contain filters. If yours doesn't, you may need to contact your septic system technician to get one installed for you.