Septic Tank Cleaning
"A septic tank system will serve a home satisfactorily only if it is properly designed, installed, and adequately maintained. Even a good system which does not have proper care and attention may become a nuisance and burdensome expense."
The U.S. Government Department of Health, Education, and Welfare Public Health Service
What is a septic system?
A septic system consists of your plumbing fixtures and pipes in your house, the sewer service lines running into your septic tank, an air vent, a septic tank with an outlet discharging wastes into an effluent soil absorption drain field.
When your septic system is suitably located, adequately designed, correctly installed and properly maintained, you will have a waste disposal system that is safe and effective. A maintenance program is the key to extending the life of your septic system and preventing damage to your property, which can be very costly when trouble occurs.
Warning signs of a contaminated tank
- Sluggish drains
- Plumbing backup in your bathroom and kitchen
- Awful odor in your drains or yard
- Mushy ground or greener grass in septic tank area
Your domestic system should be pumped out every 1-3 years. This will help you avoid the disasters that will, and do, occur.
We invite you to contact us so we may discuss your residential septic tank situation with you!
Proper care
- Use biodegradable products, including laundry soap and shampoos
- Pump tank at proper intervals (usually 1 to 3 years)
- Limit water entering your septic tank:
- Use water-saving fixtures (faucets, bath, showers, and toilet)
- Spread clothes washing over entire week; avoid half-loads
- Prevent roof and basement drainage from entering tank
- Minimize the amount of water family uses for baths, showers, shaving, dishwashing, and clothes washing
- Fix all faucets and toilet float valve leaks
- Don't use a garbage disposal unit (requires annual tank pump-out if you do)
- Don't drive your car or truck over septic tank or septic field for off-loading, pick-up or parking
- Don't build patio, driveway or swimming pool over your septic tank or septic field
- Don't put harmful materials into your septic tank:
- Grease or oil from cooking
- Concentrated chemicals (lye or muriatic acid)
- Paint or paint thinner
- Gasoline or motor oil
- Poisons, disinfectants or Draino
- Coffee grounds or food scraps
- Paper towels
- Disposable diapers
- Sanitary napkins or tampons
- Cigarette filters or matches
- Pesticides or herbicides used in lawn and garden care
- Sand from cat box or in clothing when washed
- Sudsy detergents (non-biodegradable)
How your system works
A septic system has two basic working parts: a septic tank and a soil absorption field (seepage bed).
Wastes flow into the septic tank where they are separated into solids and liquids. The solids settle to the bottom and are partially decomposed by bacteria. Some solids float and form a scum mat on top of the water.
The liquids flow out of the septic tank into the seepage bed which is made up of perforated pipes and constructed over a bed of crushed rock and sand. The liquid from the seepage bed is filtered and decomposed by microorganisms in the soil.
Talk to us if you would like to schedule cleaning of your residential septic tank.
