The septic tank is an underground container that receives and holds household waste. Solid materials settle at the bottom to form sludge and grease and lightweight waste floats to the top as scum.
Bacteria break down this waste. However, poor septic habits – such as flushing wipes, chemicals, and excessive paper products – can throw off this delicate process. Click Here to learn more.
In a typical septic system, wastewater from household plumbing travels down the drains and into the septic tank. There it begins to separate, with the heaviest solid matter (sludge) sinking and oily wastes and liquids floating on top (called scum). The middle layer of clean water called effluent flows out of the tank into a series of porous pipes that run into the drain field, which is filled with gravel and other aggregates to help disperse the liquid.
When a septic tank is full of sludge, it can’t accept new sewage. As a result, sewage backs up into the home’s drains. In some cases, the septic tank can overflow and flood the drain field with sewage, which then runs off into nearby water bodies like creeks and rivers or taints groundwater.
Getting your septic tank pumped regularly prevents these problems. Typically, septic tanks need to be pumped every three to five years. However, the frequency of pumping depends on several factors, including the size of your household and how much water your family uses. A large household with many toilets can fill up the septic tank faster than a smaller one. Similarly, the use of a garbage disposal can generate more solids, which means your tank will need to be pumped more often.
If you have a 2-tank or multi-compartment septic system, it is important to keep track of the levels of each compartment. For this, you will need to locate the septic tank and carefully remove the lid. Use extreme caution when doing so, as the septic tank holds 4-5 feet of underground water and can be dangerous to anyone who comes into contact with it. Once the lid is removed, a professional can measure the sludge level with a specialized device.
To avoid overfilling your septic tank, you can try to reduce the amount of waste your household produces. This includes using the garbage disposal sparingly and only for solid wastes. Also, consider a septic tank effluent filter, which will reduce the amount of solids in the effluent stream that goes into your drain field.
Inspection
Septic tanks aren’t part of most home inspections, so they are a mystery to many new homeowners. These buried systems need proper care to last. A third-party septic tank inspector can provide insight into the condition of a septic system, which can help with maintenance and repairs.
The inspector will ask questions about the tank’s age, the date it was pumped, and how often the house uses the toilets. He will check that the riser lids are secure and that the septic tank is watertight. He will look at the baffles and note any cracks that might be present in the septic tank. He will also examine the drain line distribution box, ensuring that each line receives an equal amount of wastewater. A clogged or tipped box will disproportionately allocate effluent, flooding sections of the drain field.
A good inspector will also measure the sludge and scum layers in the septic tank, checking that these do not rise above the bottom of the baffles. The sludge should be no higher than 30% of the tank volume, with the final 40% being effluent. A good inspector will look for any sludge that may be covering the baffles, which is a sign of overflow or the need to pump out the tank.
He will look for any evidence of septic system backflow, which occurs when sewage flows into the absorption field from the household plumbing. He will also look for any standing water or wet spots in the yard, which could indicate that the septic system is failing.
Finally, the inspector will inspect the septic tank vent and make sure that it is open and unobstructed. He will also look for any buried plumbing or other structures that might prevent the vent from working properly.
Septic tank inspections should be scheduled periodically, with the frequency depending on the size of the tank and the number of people in the house. Getting a septic tank inspected before buying a home is very important since the cost of replacing a damaged septic system can be very expensive.
Sludge Removal
The septic tank is an essential part of your home waste management system. It is designed to filter out the sewage before it goes into the groundwater system and surrounding environment. However, if the septic tank isn’t pumped out regularly it can overflow, contaminating the soil and groundwater. This can make you and your family extremely ill and cause a lot of damage to the property. The main way that septic tanks can overflow is by overfilling. This happens when a septic tank gets too full and the sewage overflows through the lid opening. It can also occur when a septic tank is unable to digest the waste and it starts overflowing.
Over time the septic tank can start to build up a thick layer of sludge on the bottom. This is because the bacteria in the septic tank don’t have enough oxygen to munch on all the waste. Ideally, a septic tank should have as little as possible of this indigestible waste and sludge layer, but that can’t happen without regular maintenance.
Keeping an eye on your septic tank isn’t easy because you can’t just open the lid and look inside. The best way to check your septic tank’s sludge levels is to use a septic tank sludge level stick. These are sticks that have a velcro strip that you can measure the thickness of the sludge. This allows you to monitor your septic tank and determine when it needs pumping.
When the septic tank reaches about 30% of its capacity, it’s time to have it pumped out. That’s because the sludge layer stops bacteria from being able to digest waste and it can start clogging up the septic tank drain field or even the soakaway.
Septic tank sludge can be removed by using different methods including gravity thickening, aerated stabilization, or centrifugation. These processes help to break down the sludge and make it more digestible. Then it can be disposed of safely at the local sewerage treatment plant.
It is important to pump your septic tank out regularly because it helps to keep it in good condition. If you do this, the overflow and contamination risks are much less likely. It can also help prevent septic tank failure, which could see raw sewage reach the surface and pollute the environment.
Cleaning
Septic systems are complex and have a lot of moving parts that need to work properly. Without regular cleaning, septic tank sludge will build up and clog the system, leading to backups and untreated wastewater release into the environment. Regular cleaning helps keep the system running smoothly, and it extends the life of the septic system as well.
Sludge and scum buildup can also lead to drainfield failure, which is a big deal because it can mean expensive repairs and replacement of the whole drainage system and soil surrounding your home. A professional will be able to assess the health of your drain field and help you come up with a maintenance schedule that prevents costly disasters.
A septic tank that’s not cleaned correctly poses serious health risks for the people who live in the house. Contact with sewage waste can cause serious illnesses and infections, including gastrointestinal and respiratory problems. Trying to clean the tank yourself can be dangerous as well; it’s best left to the professionals who have the equipment to do it safely and quickly.
Another issue is that if your septic system fails, it can affect the local water supply, which is an important resource for wildlife and human beings. Untreated sewage can leak into groundwater and streams, contaminating them with fecal contaminants. Leaking septic tanks can also pollute surface waters, making them unsafe for humans to swim in. Proper septic system maintenance can help keep this from happening and protect the quality of Michigan’s water.
Finally, a septic system that’s in good working condition can increase the value of your property. Potential buyers will take into account how well the system works when deciding whether to make an offer, so keeping it in good working order is a smart investment. A poorly maintained system, on the other hand, can detract from the value of your home and may even cause the buyer to walk away from the sale altogether.
While septic system maintenance is often neglected because it’s out of sight and out of mind, it’s an important part of keeping your home healthy and safe. Septic tanks need regular inspections and pumping to function properly, and cleaning is just as essential. When you work with a reputable septic service, they’ll help you understand the importance of regular cleaning and maintenance to keep your septic tank in top shape for years to come.