The septic tank is very important for an effective working plumbing system. All of the water that is removed from the home via toilet, appliances, or sinks, needs to go somewhere. The septic tank is the underground storage space for these wastewater sources. When a house is not on city water, they need to take care to maintain and regularly clean out their septic tank.
The importance of septic tank treatments
Septic tanks are watertight boxes underground. Because much of the water that is draining into the septic tank is wastewater, frequent cleanings are needed. The most common contaminants include layers of sludge and scum. Over time, the sludge and scum can block the septic tank and can prevent plumbing problems, down the line. Septic tank repairs can be expensive and the best way to prevent them is to schedule frequent septic tank services.
Additional septic cleanings may be needed when containments from the home are disposed of in large quantities. This is common in homes with garbage disposals. The products from the garbage disposal are directly deposited into the septic tank. Because these products are usually foods, they do not break down as easily. A garbage disposal alone can increase the amount of solids in the septic tank by 50%. Constantly full septic tanks could mean that the septic tank is too small for the household?s current septic needs.
Choosing the right septic tank size for household needs
Most people never change out their septic tanks. They simply use the septic tank that came with the house. However, if they have higher septic tank needs or have more people in the household, they are likely to notice an increase in needed septic tank repairs or septic cleaning services. Usually, a septic tank should be big enough to hold two days of wastewater, which is how long it takes for solids to settle out. If the household is producing more wastewater than what the septic tank can hold in two days, a larger tank may be needed. Problems with the septic tank could also arise from it not draining properly.
The most common cause for septic tank repairs
The septic tank should drain minimally, every two days. If it does not drain often, it will overfill and plumbing backups can occur. This can be an extremely costly repair for homeowners. Much of the plumbing system is located underground, requiring repairmen to dig up the foundation. Additionally, if plumbing backup occurred, the home is not contaminated with wastewater damage. It is important to know the warning signs of a poorly functioning septic tank. If your toilets and drains are constantly getting clogged, it may be time to schedule a septic tank treatment. They will evaluate the draining schedule of the septic tank and will recommend any needed septic tank repairs.
When to replace your septic tank
The replacement of a septic tank can get costly, causing many homeowners to put it off. However, if you need regular septic tank repairs or septic services, it might be a better idea to replace the septic tank. If the septic tank is regularly overfilling, you are at risk of it backing up and costing you thousands in water damages.
By the time you cover the costs associated with water damages, it is better to replace the septic system. It also might be time to replace it if your septic needs now are more than the current septic tank can handle. There are four factors that impact the frequency of pumping, the number of people in a household, the amount of wastewater generated, the volume of solids in wastewater, and the size of the septic tank. If you cannot keep up with needed septic pumping, it may be time to replace the septic tank.
Septic tanks store the wastewater from your home. When this system fails, things can get messy and damaged. Your septic tank should fit your home?s wastewater needs. Regular inspections and carefully times septic pumping is needed. You can also further prevent household damage to your plumbing system by evaluating your increase in wastewater disposal needs.
