All the waste that goes down your drains is in your septic tank. Over time, this waste can build up to the point where your system becomes overloaded and needs cleaning.
A septic tank is a large buried container that holds wastewater. Solid waste settles in the bottom and forms sludge, while oil and grease float to the top to form scum. Click Septic Tank Cleaning Perth to learn more.
All the wastewater that leaves your home travels through pipes to the septic tank. Once there, the waste will go through a process that separates solid and liquid waste. The weighty masses sink to the bottom of the septic tank while lighter masses rise to the top. This creates three layers – sludge, scum, and effluent.
If your drains suddenly become clogged, this could be a sign that the septic tank is full or the septic system isn’t functioning properly. The good news is that septic tank cleaning services can prevent these issues from occurring.
A septic tank cleaning service will clean out your entire drain line. This removes any sludge, debris, or tree roots that may be causing blockages in your pipe. The service can also determine whether or not your septic tank needs to be pumped.
Oftentimes, the clogs that occur in your drains are caused by non-flushable items such as cigarette butts, cotton balls/swabs, and menstrual hygiene products. You can prevent clogs by only flushing organic waste, and using a septic safe chemical drain cleaner such as Digesta.
The septic tank itself can also cause clogs, but this isn’t as common as clogs in your pipes or in your home. For example, a clog in the septic tank vent can allow sewage to back up into your home, which will usually result in unpleasant odors.
Another common problem is a septic tank outlet baffle clog. This can also prevent wastewater from flowing properly to your drain field or dry well. This can be difficult to fix without professional equipment like a cable snake or hydro jetting.
Your septic system is a complete ecosystem, and as such, all parts of the system can become blocked or clogged. This includes the septic tank, waste pipes, and leach field. A clog in the septic tank can lead to wastewater back up into your home or yard, and it can even cause sewage to seep out of toilets.
Many homeowners try to fix their own clogs by sticking items down the drain or using chemical drain cleaners that aren’t septic safe. These chemicals will not only eat away at the clogs, but they can also kill bacteria in your septic tank and disrupt the balance of your septic system.
Unpleasant Odors
When your septic tank doesn’t get cleaned regularly, it can lead to foul smells around the house. This is because the bacteria in the septic system is not broken down properly, which causes gasses to form. These gasses include hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide, which are both incredibly foul smelling. These gases can also cause respiratory problems if inhaled over time. Preventing septic tank failure by getting it pumped regularly is the best way to avoid these unpleasant smells.
If your septic tank isn’t clean, the bacteria can seep out into the soil surrounding it. This can contaminate your groundwater supply with bacteria. The odors from this bacteria will also spread into the home, where it can lead to clogged drains and sewer backups. If you’re noticing these problems in your home, it’s time to schedule a septic tank cleaning.
Many septic tank cleaners on the market claim to help lengthen the period of time between pumping. However, these products usually contain chemicals that can disrupt the primordial ecosystem that already exists in your septic tank. These additives can also be corrosive and dangerous to the pipes in your home.
Another way to keep your septic system in tip-top shape is by only flushing human waste and toilet paper. Avoid flushing items like wet wipes, diapers, feminine hygiene products, kitty litter, condoms, and cigarette butts. These items can cause clogs that lead to sewage backups, and they’re not easily broken down by the microorganisms in your septic system.
Odors from your toilet or sink can indicate that the septic tank is full of rotting organic material. You can try using household baking soda to correct this issue. Put a cup of baking soda down each drain once a week, and this will help to keep the septic tank’s pH level at its optimal value.
Septic tank jetting is a powerful and effective way to clean your septic tank. This method uses water to remove debris from the bottom of the septic tank, and it is especially helpful for cleaning hard-to-reach areas. This type of cleaning is typically more affordable than septic tank replacement, and it can save you money in the long run.
Sewage Backups
The septic tank is an important component of any home, and just like any other part of your home, it needs regular maintenance. Without proper care, your septic system could fail, leading to sewage backups that threaten your health and property. Fortunately, preventative septic tank cleaning can reduce the risk of these problems by keeping your septic tank healthy and your drain lines free. If you notice signs that your septic system isn’t working properly, call a professional for help before the problem gets worse.
There are several warning signs that you should watch out for, such as: Slower than usual draining in your home. Gurgling sounds from the toilets and drains. Unpleasant smells that appear near your drains and septic tank area. Wetness around floor drains in your basement, garage, or laundry room. Changes to your yard that include sinkholes or lush spots of grass that are surrounded by dead vegetation.
Sewage backups are far more serious than the inconvenience of clogged drains and a bad smell. They pose a real threat to your health because they can carry disease-causing bacteria and other airborne contaminants. Additionally, sewage contains drug byproducts, human waste, and other dangerous materials.
You can reduce the risk of septic tank failure and sewage backups by taking steps such as monitoring your septic tank, controlling water usage, and scheduling regular inspections. However, even with these measures, you may still need to clean your septic tank periodically.
A full septic tank is one of the most common causes of sewage backups. The septic tank’s outlet pipe sends pre-processed wastewater to your drain field, where it is slowly absorbed into the soil and watercourses. If the septic tank is full, these wastewater particles cannot be absorbed into the environment, which leads to a backup of the sludge layer and the septic tank outlet.
If you think that your septic tank is full, a professional can measure the scum and sludge layers to determine if it’s time for a cleaning. The general guidelines are that if the scum layer is within six inches of the septic tank’s preventative outlet and the bottom of the sludge layer is within 12 inches, it’s time for a cleaning.
Cost
The cost of septic tank pumping and cleaning depends on a few factors. The location of your home, the size of your septic system, and how many people live in your house all affect the price of septic tank cleaning services.
Your septic system is water-tight tanks buried underground that receive wastewater through a drainage pipe from your house. Solid waste settles in the bottom of the tank and oils and grease float to the top. Healthy bacteria break down the waste, but it builds up over time and needs to be pumped out.
You can reduce the cost of septic tank cleaning by hiring a professional to clean the system when it shows signs of trouble. Regular service eliminates partial clogs and foreign objects that can cause sewage to back up into your house.
It is also important to avoid flushing items that can’t be broken down or decomposed by healthy bacteria. Doing so can create costly clogs that require professional repairs. The most common culprits include things like feminine hygiene products, cotton balls, wet wipes, and dental floss. These can all lead to expensive septic system clogs that require professional cleaning and repair.
Another way to save on septic tank cleaning costs is by making sure the tank is emptied at least once every three years. This keeps the sludge from building up and can extend the lifespan of your septic system.
When you hire a septic tank cleaning company, they will use a large truck with vacuum equipment to remove the liquids and sludge from the tank. They will also clean out the septic tank filter, which is usually included in the price of the service.
Once the septic tank has been pumped, the technician will conduct an inspection and recommend any needed repairs or maintenance. They will also advise the homeowner on how often to schedule future septic tank cleanings. It is generally recommended that a septic tank be pumped when the floating scum layer gets within 6 inches of the inlet tee or the sunken sludge layer is within 12 inches of the outlet tee.