Septic tanks are critical components of domestic treatment plants. The wastewater exiting the home via the drains travels to the septic tank first, where everything gets separated into sludge (heavy, solid waste), which sinks to the bottom; scum (the oils, fats, grease and other substances lighter than water), which float to the top; and the effluent (the residual wastewater), which is allowed to drain out of the tank into the drainfield or leach field (percolation area) for final degradation and disposal.
Taking proper care of the septic tank is therefore critical to ensuring that the entire septic treatment system works efficiently. If you rely on a septic treatment system to treat and dispose of the wastewater that leaves your home, here's what you can do to keep your septic tank in good working shape.
Inspecting the septic tank and the entire system
It is important for homeowners with a septic treatment system to have their tanks and other system components inspected by a professional plumber or drain layer on a routine basis. Routine inspection will help you know sludge and scum levels, the physical condition of the tank as well as the system's pipes. The inspection may also involve checking if effluent is percolating properly in the drain field. Overall, the inspection can help assess the need for pumping as well as any repair work.
Keep in mind that problems with other components of your septic treatment system may affect the performance of your septic tank, so it is best to have the entire system inspected.
Pumping out the septic tank
A well-functioning septic tank is designed and installed to drain out effluent into the leach field, with the sludge and scum being retained inside the tank. Over time, layers of the settling and floating solids accumulate, reducing the tank's capacity to accommodate more raw waste coming from your house. For that reason, periodic pumping of the tank is usually required to remove the buildup from the tank. The frequency at which pumping service is needed varies from tank to tank, depending on the size of the tank, the size of the household and the quantity and type of solids being flushed down the drains.
If you're not sure about when your tank needs pumping service, call in a professional to inspect it and give you a recommendation on how long it will take before requiring pumping. Be sure to stick to the pumping schedule chart recommended for you.
