Your septic tank does more for you than you realize. Without it, and without a public sewer connection, you wouldn't really be able to have a toilet or running water in your home. So, what does your septic system ask from you in return? It asks that you are careful not to put too many harsh chemicals down your drains. It asks that you only flush septic-friendly toilet paper. And it asks to be pumped out every now and then. That's about it! Read more about septic services here, and you'll know all that you need to know to be a good septic system owner.
Septic Tank Pumping? How Often Should Pumping Be Done And What To Expect From The Process
If the home you have just purchased is not connected to a public sewer system, it will likely be equipped with a private septic system consisting of a septic tank and drain field. Depending on the number of occupants residing in your home and the amount of sewage produced, septic tank pumping services will be needed to be periodically flushed in order to reduce the amount of wastewater and solids collected inside the septic tank.
Homeowners who are unfamiliar with the septic tank pumping process may find this information helpful in determining when to schedule it and what they should expect from the process.
When to schedule septic tank pumping services
The size of your septic tank and the amount of sewage produced in the home are important factors in determining the frequency at which the septic tank will need pumping services, but other factors can also apply. Basic industry guidelines suggest that residential septic tanks should be scheduled for pumping services at two to five-year intervals. This guideline, however, is only a baseline estimate, and homeowners should understand that septic tanks may need more frequent pumping. For example, septic systems that receive unusually high usage or those who are struggling with efficiency due to age or misuse may need to have the septic tank pumped on a more frequent schedule.
What to expect during the pumping process
When the large septic pumping truck arrives to perform the service, the technician will begin by inspecting the septic tank and the general area around it for damage or developing problems, such as the presence of tree roots or any indications of a sewage leak. Then the technician will carefully expose and remove the tank access lids so that the vacuum hose can be inserted for the pumping process. Depending on the type of septic tank involved, the technician may also visually check the baffles, pumps, grinders, and the walls and surfaces of the tank and waste processing chambers.
During the pumping process, the vacuum system removes wastewater and solids from the septic tank and sends them to the holding tank attached to a service truck parked nearby. In most cases, the pumping process should be expected to remove all or most of the solid waste inside the tank, along with a substantial amount of liquid. Septic tanks cannot be emptied completely because they require weight to hold the tank firmly in place below ground.
To learn more about the septic tank pumping process and how often you should schedule the service for your residential septic system, contact a septic tank pumping service in your area.