A septic tank is one part of an on-site wastewater system. It helps sort household waste by allowing solids to sink down and digest and floatable fats, oils, and grease to rise to the top.
Regular pumping and inspections keep your system working properly. Avoid using septic system additives. These products may re-suspend solids and move them into your drain field or leach field area. Click Septic Tank Services Near Me to learn more.
Septic tanks are an essential component of home sanitation and wastewater treatment. They are buried tanks that hold sewage waste from your home’s toilets, bathtubs, showers, sinks, and washing machines. The wastewater passes from the house to the tank through pipes, where solid waste sinks to the bottom, forming sludge, and oil and grease float to the top as scum. Compartments and a T-shaped outlet prevent the sludge and scum from entering the drain field, where it would cause blockages, clogs, and environmental contamination.
A septic system can last up to 40 years or more with proper maintenance and timely repairs. The frequency with which your septic tank needs to be pumped depends on your household size, the number of fixtures that discharge into the system, and whether you have a garbage disposal or use harsh cleaning products. If your septic system isn’t well-maintained, you risk expensive clogs, backups, and failure that can lead to costly replacement.
The best way to reduce the need for frequent septic tank pumping is by keeping solid items out of the drains and toilets. This includes feminine products, wipes, and other non-flushables. You can also help by limiting how often you run your dishwasher and washing machine, as well as using water-efficient appliances and fixtures.
When septic tank pumping is required, professionals remove the accumulated sludge and scum from the tank. This prevents a critical buildup that could overflow into the absorption field, leading to expensive repair bills and potential environmental contamination.
Typically, technicians remove the sod and dirt covering the access opening to the septic tank and expose the sewage pumpout port. A truck with a giant tank-like container is then driven over the septic tank, where a suction hose essentially “sucks up” the sewage from inside the tank. The sewage is then transported to a local waste processing facility for disposal.
The average septic tank should be pumped every three to five years, with more frequent servicing in larger households and homes that use heavy plumbing fixtures or flush chemicals down the drains. If you’ve been noticing telltale signs that it’s time to get the septic tank pumped, such as slow-draining faucets and toilets, bad odors in your home, or standing water near the septic tank, call for service right away.
Inspection
Septic systems are vital for managing waste in homes and businesses that are not connected to city sewer lines. Like any other plumbing system, septic tanks need regular maintenance and inspection to prevent clogs and system failure. Typically, the telltale signs of a septic tank clog include slow draining, gurgling sounds from toilets and sinks, standing water around the tank, and bad odors. If left unattended, septic tank problems can lead to expensive repairs and even system replacement. Regular septic tank inspections and pumping help to prevent such issues from arising.
A septic system inspection involves a thorough visual check of the tank and the associated pipes. This includes checking the condition of the access covers, examining the tank for cracks or decay and ensuring that the inlet and outlet baffles are in good shape. It also means digging into the tank to evaluate its operating liquid level. The inspector will also inspect the leaching field for previous signs of ponding and probe the distribution box to verify that each drain line is receiving a sufficient amount of effluent.
If the septic system is new, an “as-built” drawing should be on file with local health and zoning agencies. This drawing will show the location of the septic tank and other components. If the septic system is older, the inspector will need to locate the tank by probing the soil with a metal rod. If the septic tank is located underground, the inspector may use a metal detector or probe the area with a trowel.
If a septic tank inspection uncovers problems with the septic system, such as back-flow of wastewater into the house, the inspector will need to conduct more in-depth testing. This may involve flushing colored dye into the system to test for proper functioning and to determine if the septic tank is holding liquid. This type of in-depth inspection is often called a Title V inspection and is required for any home that is being sold. A Title V inspection can be added to a standard property inspection or conducted as a stand-alone service.
Repair
When many homeowners think about home maintenance, they don’t consider their septic system. However, the septic tank is an important component of waste management. It separates solids from liquids, treating wastewater before dispersing it to the ground. As a result, homeowners should understand how it works and schedule regular maintenance with an experienced plumber.
A septic tank is a buried structure that stores and decomposes the waste it collects from the household. Solids sink to the bottom of the tank, while liquids flow into the drain field. The liquids percolate into the soil, naturally removing harmful coliform bacteria and viruses. The drain field also filters the remaining wastewater, dispersing it to the ground surface or absorbing into the groundwater.
Over time, the septic tank can become full of sludge and scum. This can lead to sewage backups and costly repairs to the drain field, pipes, or home plumbing. Homeowners can help reduce septic tank problems by using water efficiently, avoiding flushing non-biodegradable items and reducing how much they put into the tank. Regular inspections can catch problems early and prevent serious issues.
Signs that the septic tank needs to be pumped include slow drainage, standing water near the septic tank or drain field area and bad odors from drains and toilets. It’s also a good idea to invest in a septic riser, which is a cover that allows the septic tank to be inspected without digging a large hole.
Repairs to a septic system can include fixing leaky pipes, replacing damaged baffles and repairing or replacing the drain field. Replacing the baffles in a septic tank improves the separation of solids and liquids. Having these replaced prevents the solids from flowing into the drain field, where they can clog toilets and cause costly damage to the property.
Septic tank repairs can range in price from a few hundred dollars to more than $4,000 for a complete replacement of the septic tank and system. However, septic tank maintenance can save homeowners money by helping the septic tank last longer and preventing expensive repairs.
Replacement
When a septic tank system fails, it can cause hazardous waste to back up into the home or into groundwater supplies. This is a serious health risk for everyone, and it is extremely expensive to repair. To prevent failure, a septic system should be routinely inspected and pumped.
A professional septic tank service can perform these maintenance tasks, but you can also do some of them at home. For instance, septic tank cleaning involves the removal of sludge and scum, which aren’t broken down by the septic system bacteria. This helps reduce the risk of clogged drains and other problems with the septic system.
Other maintenance services include inspecting the septic tank and the drain field to identify any potential issues. This can help you avoid costly repairs down the road. Some septic tank service companies offer this as part of their routine maintenance packages.
If you notice that your toilets, showers, or sinks are draining slowly, it may be time to get a septic tank pumping. This is a basic maintenance task that every homeowner with an on-site wastewater treatment system (OWTS) should do regularly. It can save you money on emergency septic tank repair and can keep your home’s plumbing working properly.
New York residents should consider including septic system costs in their home maintenance budgets, and some counties provide financial assistance to offset the cost of a new septic system. Investing in a quality septic system can increase your property value and improve the health and safety of your family.
Septic tank installation is a complex process that requires specialized equipment and plumbing expertise. Trying to do it yourself can lead to costly mistakes, so enlist the help of an experienced septic tank service provider instead. Having one of these professionals install your septic tank ensures that it meets all local regulations and is installed in the proper location. They can also conduct a soil test and evaluate the absorption field to ensure that your septic system is sized correctly for your home. They can even obtain the necessary permits for you.