Unlike pumping, cleaning takes it a step further by completely evacuating every component of your septic system – tank, distribution boxes, drain field lines. It’s like hitting the reset button on your entire septic system.
Routine septic cleaning helps your system perform better, extends its lifespan and lowers the risk of costly repair. However, it’s not a task to be taken lightly. Click the Septic Tank Cleaning Perth to learn more.
A septic tank is a watertight container that holds wastewater long enough for solids to settle at the bottom, oils and grease to float to the top, and bacteria to break down the rest. Eventually, the effluent flows through the distribution box into the leach field where it percolates into the soil for final treatment. A septic system that doesn’t get properly cleaned and maintained can cause a wide range of problems, from foul odors to groundwater contamination. Regular septic tank inspections and cleaning help to prevent these issues.
During a septic tank inspection, a licensed inspector will check several components of your septic system to ensure it’s functioning properly. The inspection starts with a visual examination of the septic tank and its surroundings. The inspector will look for structural damage, including cracks and leaks. They’ll also assess the condition of the inlet and outlet baffles. If the baffles are in poor condition, they could cause clogs that prevent wastewater from flowing into the drain field.
Next, the inspector will evaluate the levels of scum and sludge inside the tank. Ideally, the septic tank will contain a layer of sludge, a layer of gray water, and a layer of scum that are separated from each other. If the septic tank has a disproportionate amount of sludge or scum, it may be time for septic tank pumping.
Once the septic tank is inspected, the inspector will test the effluent flow through the distribution box and into the leach field. They’ll measure liquid levels to determine if the tank is overflowing, and they’ll check for signs of blockages or other problems in the distribution box and leach field. Problems in the leach field can cause slow drainage and foul odors, while issues in the distribution box can lead to a septic system failure.
Inspecting your septic system regularly allows you to address minor issues before they become major problems that require costly repairs or replacement. If you have a schedule of routine septic tank inspections and cleanings, your septic system will continue to function for as long as you own your home.
Septic Tank Pumping
Septic tanks are a big part of the plumbing system you use every day. They keep wastewater away from drains, showers and toilets so it can be safely and easily absorbed in the soil. They work through a separation process that allows lighter solids such as lint and coffee grounds to float to the surface as scum while heavier particles, such as sludge, sinks and compiles in the tank. These sludge and scum layers need to be removed from the septic tank periodically, so they don’t enter the septic system’s underground network of perforated pipes and soil absorption systems. If these systems get clogged by excessive solids, they can cause costly and inconvenient problems.
The best way to prevent septic tank clogs is through regular septic tank pumping and cleaning. This service uses a vacuum truck to remove sludge and scum, then rinses the inside of the tank with water and inspects the walls and baffles for cracks, rust or other structural damage. This ensures your septic tank is working at optimal capacity.
Pumping helps to manage your septic tank’s waste volume, but it does not remove the compacted sludge that settles at the bottom of the tank. This is why cleaning is an essential component of your septic system maintenance. Cleaning takes it one step further, evacuating all liquid and solid waste materials from the septic tank, distribution box and drain field lines. This comprehensive service resets your septic system from the inside out, significantly reducing your risk of premature failure.
Cleaning isn’t typically needed as often as pumping, but it’s a vital maintenance service for any household. It is recommended that homeowners have this service performed about every 3-5 years on average, though this may vary based on household conditions and other factors.
Keeping up with this essential maintenance will help to extend the life of your septic tank and system, saving you money over time and preventing costly repairs and replacements. If you’re unsure when the last time was that your septic tank was pumped, contact Jazz Septic today to schedule a septic inspection and septic tank cleaning.
Septic Tank Maintenance
Septic tanks are large underground holding units where household wastewater goes when it leaves your showers, toilets and sinks. The wastewater enters the tank and gets treated by natural bacteria and microorganisms before it exits the tank into a drain field for percolation back into the ground. Over time, the waste that leaves your home can accumulate in the septic tank, eventually filling it to capacity. This is when a smelly, sludge-filled wastewater can back up into your house. That’s why it’s important to have your septic tank inspected every one to two years and cleaned (pumped out) every three to five years or more frequently, depending on the size of your tank and the number of people living in your home.
In addition to preventing stinky clogs in your drains, regular septic tank cleaning prevents costly and stressful system failures. It also helps you maintain your property value and can save on costly repairs.
While some retail products claim to clean septic tanks and pipes, the EPA warns that these products should not be used in place of routine tank inspections and pumping. While these products can be useful in helping to break down the layer of grease and oils naturally present in your septic tank, they cannot replace the need for pumping and cleaning. In fact, these products may actually cause premature septic system failure by causing solids to move from the tank into your drain field and clogging your septic pipes.
During cleaning, septic tank professionals use specialized equipment to thoroughly empty the accumulated waste from your septic tank and all of its components. Then, they rinse the tank with water to eliminate residue and restore the septic system’s optimal functioning. Cleaning also provides a valuable opportunity for technicians to examine the septic tank and all of its parts for signs of damage or structural wear.
Remember, always wear a mask and protective gear when working with sewage. It’s a toxic environment that can cause health hazards including dangerous diseases and infections. If you notice a strong sewer gas or “rotten egg” smell in your home, evacuate the building immediately and call a septic tank professional to inspect the system.
Septic Tank Repair
Most homeowners don’t give their septic systems much thought until something goes wrong. An unpleasant sewage backup indoors or soggy mess in the yard makes it painfully obvious there’s a problem underground. Avoid these nasty septic surprises with routine inspections and cleanings. These services keep solids from overloading the tank and clogging pipes, straining the soil absorption field, and decreasing functionality.
A professional septic tank cleaner will use a large tanker truck with vacuum equipment to empty the contents of your septic tank. They will insert a large hose into the manhole, and through a suction mechanism, the waste will be pulled out of the tank and into the truck for disposal at an out-of-the-way location. During the process, they will also stir up the contents to ensure all floating solids and sludge are removed.
Once the liquids and floating sludge are removed, the remaining sludge will be pumped into a holding tank or buried in an approved location. Then, the tanks will be cleaned to remove any residue that has accumulated on the tank walls and bottom. This service involves opening all access points and couplings, removing the filters, checking baffles, treating surfaces to control odor, flushing lines if excessive residue exists, and inspecting the septic system for leakage.
Leaks are a common issue with septic systems, and they can occur anywhere in the tank and system. These leaks can cause environmental contamination of groundwater and the water supply, and can damage the structural integrity of the tank or the concrete bases that support it. A professional septic tank inspector can identify the source of the leak and recommend repair or replacement.
A septic tank is a significant investment that’s critical to the proper operation of your home. The good news is, with regular septic tank pumping and cleaning, it can be properly maintained for years to come and protect your home from costly repairs and replacements. If it’s been three to five years since your last septic tank cleaning, consider scheduling one soon.
