When a septic tank is pumped, technicians use a vacuum to remove solid waste and sludge. This process can take 30-60 minutes.
Heavy solids sink to the bottom of a septic tank, while grease and lighter materials float to the top. These solids are removed during pumping, and the wastewater is sent to a drain field with perforated pipes where soil microbes further process it. Contact Septic Tank Pump Out Perth now!
- Sewage Backup
Sewage backup is one of the most serious signs that your septic tank needs to be pumped out. This can cause serious health issues in your home and is a very unpleasant experience to deal with. It can also cause major damage to your home, making it a costly problem. If you notice sewage backing up in your bathtubs, showers, or toilets, it is time to call a professional for help.
Slow draining is another common sign that it’s time to get your septic tank pumped. This can happen when there’s an obstruction in a single drain line, or in the tank itself. When this happens, it’s important to act quickly to prevent a more severe clog from forming.
Another common sign of a full septic tank is the gurgling sound heard in your bathroom sinks and tubs. This is caused when air pockets form in the pipes and prevent liquid waste from flowing smoothly. Some things that can cause this include fat or grease from cooking, paper towels and nappies being flushed, and non-biodegradable trash like bottles, toys and cigarette butts.
Lastly, if you notice that the grass around your septic system is greener than the surrounding grass, this is another good indication that it’s time to get your tank pumped. This may be because of a septic tank overflow, or it could be because the inlet baffle to the septic tank is blocked by debris.
When the septic tank is overfull, it leaves little room for new waste, which can lead to system backups. Usually, these will occur when the system is under heavy usage, such as after a big party or during holidays when more people are in your home. However, the problems can progress to a point where they occur even after light usage.
Sewage backups can lead to expensive repairs and can even be a health hazard for you and your family. The best way to prevent these problems is by having your septic tank pumped on a regular basis and by avoiding putting large amounts of solid waste into the system.
- Water Leaks
Leaks are a big deal because sewage leaks can cause serious health problems. It can also contaminate the soil in your yard, which may be especially problematic during wet weather.
A septic system works to sort household waste as it enters the system by allowing solids to sink and slowly biodegrade, while fats, oils and greases float to the top of the tank and are broken down with anaerobic bacteria. The liquid waste from the septic tank is then pumped into the drain field. Over time, this process helps to keep sewage and other waste from seeping into groundwater supplies.
One of the earliest signs that a septic tank is in need of pumping is slow draining. This can be due to a single pipe obstruction caused by an object, hair or grease, but it may also be a sign that the septic tank is full and there is a major system clog or other issue.
During a septic tank pump out, the service provider uses a vacuum system to remove the sludge from the septic tank. This process is a messy and smelly one, but it is necessary to prevent the septic tank from overflowing and damaging your property. The septic tank inflow and outflow pipes are also cleaned during a septic tank pump out.
The inflow and outflow pipes are designed to protect the septic tank from overflow and allow for a maximum amount of liquid waste to leave the septic tank. However, over time these pipes can become corroded and develop cracks. These cracks can occur in the concrete or metal materials that the inflow and outflow pipes are made of.
These cracks can eventually cause the inflow and outflow pipes to become disconnected from the septic tank. When this happens, a septic tank will fill up faster than normal and need to be pumped more often.
You can help to prevent this problem by avoiding placing anything in or near the inflow and outflow pipes. This includes landscaping, pools and even patios. In addition, make sure to add 8 to 12-inches of mulch around your septic tank and inflow and outflow pipes. This will help to prevent the soil from becoming compacted, which can lead to a malfunctioning drain field. It is also a good idea to use less water in your home and divert downspouts and surface water away from the drain field.
- Damage to Drainage Field
The drain field, also known as the absorption field or leach field, is the area where wastewater sieves through soil microbes. The septic tank removes solid waste from household wastewater so that the liquid effluent can more easily pass into the leach field. If the drain field becomes saturated or flooded during heavy rains, it can cause long-term problems. The soil can become too compact, clogged with solids and sediments or contaminated with E. coli bacteria and nitrates.
The best way to keep the drain field in good shape is to avoid putting large amounts of waste into the system. This includes avoiding flushing medications, harsh chemical cleaners and household hazardous wastes. It is also a good idea to plant grass and other shallow-rooted plants over the drain field. This helps the soil absorb some of the rainfall and prevents the buildup of sludge.
Grease and oil are another big problem for septic systems. They don’t biodegrade like other waste and clog the drain lines from the septic tank to the leach field. It is important to have your plumbing inspected and equipped with proper grease traps to help minimize the amount of fats and oils that enter your septic system.
Signs of a damaged leach field include strong sewage smells in the house or around the home. Standing water and flooded ground near the septic tank are other common signs. If you see these signs, contact Biros Septic immediately for a septic tank pump out and drain field cleaning.
A septic professional will usually stand near the septic tank during the pumping process to listen and observe what is happening inside. This is to make sure that no solid waste has escaped from the tank into the leach field. The septic technician will also check for any damage to the septic system and the drain field during this time. He or she may also use a muckrake to break up the scum layer and sludge in the septic tank. This will allow the septic tank to be pumped out more quickly and efficiently.
- Discoloration
A septic tank removes solids from household wastewater before it is dispersed into the soil absorption field. This prevents the soil from becoming clogged and allows the microbes to finish the sewage treatment process. It is important to have a regular septic system maintenance schedule so that solids don’t start building up and overflowing the septic tank. When this happens, the septic tank overflows into the house and into the drainfield, which can cause sewage to back up into the home and contaminate groundwater.
Aside from keeping a regular septic tank pumping routine, there are other steps homeowners can take to keep their septic systems in good working condition. For example, we recommend a septic tank treatment additive like EcoCare Activator to restore and boost the good bacteria in the tank and in the septic system. It’s also a good idea to keep a record of when your septic tank was pumped last so that you don’t miss any important deadlines for getting it pumped again.
Another thing to keep in mind is that it is very important to be sure the septic tank is positioned well away from any structures in your yard. A septic tank should be located at least five feet away from any buildings, especially structures that are subject to heavy water usage, like bathrooms and laundry rooms. If the septic tank is too close to any structure, it may be time to have it inspected for a possible replacement.
Lastly, make sure to always use extreme caution when opening the septic tank lid and never leave it open. The tank is very heavy and can easily break or crack. It is also important to keep cars and other vehicles away from the inlet and outlet pipes of the septic tank.
If you are experiencing any of the warning signs above, it is definitely time to have your septic tank pumped. However, the best way to ensure that your septic tank doesn’t need to be pumped as often as it might otherwise need to be pumped is to have a professional inspector regularly inspect and perform routine maintenance on your septic system.