Your drainage pipes will send wastewater to a septic tank where bacteria break down the solid matter. Over time, this material builds up into layers called sludge and scum.
Gurgling sounds and a rotten odor are signs that your septic system is in need of cleaning. Regular maintenance will ensure the system runs smoothly and avoid costly repairs down the road. Contact Septic Tank Cleaning Perth now!
The first step in the septic tank cleaning process is to remove any solid debris from the top of the tank. This includes any sludge, clumps of hair and other solid waste that can’t easily dissolve in water. It’s important to keep this debris out of the septic system because it can block the drainfield and lead to sewage backups. The removal of this debris also helps to prevent contamination of groundwater.
Once the debris has been removed, the septic tank can be pumped. This process typically involves using a high-powered vacuum truck with a large pumping nozzle that is attached to a long tube. The nozzle is inserted into the tank opening, and then the wastewater is pumped out of the tank and into the drainfield. This is typically a fast and efficient process that only takes about 20 minutes.
A septic system requires regular inspection and cleaning to function properly. Most systems need to be inspected and cleaned every three to five years. However, the frequency of cleaning and inspections depends on the size of the septic tank and the number of people living in the home.
One of the most common signs that a septic system needs to be cleaned is if it has an unpleasant odor. This is usually a sign that the septic tank is full and can’t hold any more waste. In addition, if the septic tank is overflowing, this can cause significant damage to your yard and surrounding environment.
Another common sign that a septic tank is in need of cleaning is if the septic tank is overflowing into the drainfield or into the surrounding yard. This is a serious problem that requires immediate attention. If the septic tank is overflowing, it can quickly flood your yard and enter the groundwater supply. This can lead to a wide range of health issues, including sewage backups and disease.
Keeping your septic tank clean can help to reduce the need for cleaning and maintenance. The best way to do this is by avoiding putting any waste into the septic system that can’t be broken down by bacteria in the septic tank. This includes cooking oils, fats, solvents, and latex paints. In addition, you should avoid parking cars or equipment on top of the septic tank and manhole cover, and keep it clear of vegetation.
Sludge Removal
When wastewater leaves your home or business, it goes into a septic tank where bacteria break down the waste. This creates three layers – the top layer is called scum and is made of organic solid waste, the middle is known as sludge and is made of inorganic solid waste, and the bottom layer is called effluent and is liquid waste that will be expelled from the septic tank.
The sludge in your septic tank can be a big problem for your septic system, especially if the sludge builds up too much. If the sludge level rises above the top of your septic tank, the bacteria won’t have enough oxygen to actively digest the incoming sewage, which can lead to clogged drainfields and a buildup of disease-causing organisms in sewage that reaches the groundwater.
In addition to removing sludge, a professional septic tank cleaner will also inspect the septic tank and look for any leaks. They will also measure the scum and sludge layers to determine whether or not your septic tank needs to be emptied. A general guideline is that if the scum layer is within six inches of the septic tank’s preventative outlet and the sludge level is at least 12 inches high, a cleaning is needed. Ask the septic service professional to provide you with detailed records of this inspection so that you can keep track of your tank’s waste levels between cleanings.
If you want to extend the time between septic tank cleanings, avoid pouring grease down your drains and use plant-based soaps instead of chemical detergents. Grease coats your pipes and septic tank and slows down drainage over time, which can lead to a sludge buildup. It is also a good idea to use less water in your home or business by fixing leaks, installing low-flow toilets, and spreading laundry loads throughout the week.
To check the sludge level in your septic tank, grab a wooden stick that’s designed for this purpose and poke it down into the primary tank or first chamber. Then, wrap a white material (like a towel, sock, or a piece of Velcro) around one end to capture a mark when the sludge level reaches it.
Septic Tank Inspections
If you own a home that has a septic system, it is vital that you have it cleaned and inspected regularly. Otherwise, you could end up with sewage backups in your home and yard that are incredibly unpleasant. Septic tank cleaning will help prevent these problems by removing the sludge and solids from the tank and drain field lines.
While your septic tank can last quite a long time, it is important that you are careful about what you flush. You should never flush cat litter, coffee grounds, paper towels, diapers (even the ‘flushable’ type), tampons, condoms, grease, dental floss, paints, thinners, oils, medicines, and other chemicals into your septic system. These items can damage the bacteria in your septic tank and cause it to leak.
A septic tank inspector will look at your tank and inspect the drain field to make sure it is working properly. He or she will also evaluate the amount of solids and sludge in your tank. They will check the scum layer to ensure that it does not exceed 6-8 inches from the basic outlet pipe in the tank, and they will also measure the depth of the sludge layer.
If you are thinking about selling your home, the inspector will perform a hydraulic load test on the drain field to make sure it can handle the expected daily waste volume from the new owner. They will also look for any signs of septic tank problems in the drain field, such as ponding or backing up.
In more serious cases, the inspector may have to excavate around the septic tank and expose it for inspection. They will then pump the septic tank, remove any accumulated sludge, and perform a camera evaluation of the tank interior and exterior. This type of septic tank inspection is more expensive than a routine maintenance inspection, but it can provide you with much more information about the state of your septic tank and drain field. The inspector will then backfill the excavation site and cover it with sod to help the soil recover.
Septic Pumping
Septic systems are a vital component of your home, yet you probably don’t give them much thought until something goes wrong. If your septic tank becomes too full, it can leak sewage into the ground, contaminating the surrounding environment with bacteria and viruses. It can also fail altogether, leading to expensive repairs and a messy, smelly yard. Fortunately, you can avoid these problems with regular septic tank cleaning and maintenance.
Septic tank cleaning deals with the removal of solid waste and sludge that build up inside your septic system. Over time, excessive sludge can interfere with the drain field’s ability to efficiently process the wastewater that’s sent to it, leading to slow drainage, foul odors, and sewage backup into your home. Septic tank cleaning can prevent this by removing the excess sludge from your septic tank before it can overflow.
When a septic tank is pumped, a technician uses a giant hose to suck up the liquid waste and any floating solid waste that’s on top of the sludge layer. Once the septic tank is empty, the technician will wash down the walls of the tank to remove any residual waste that remains.
The septic tank’s baffles and dividing wall will be thoroughly cleaned as well. The tank’s lid will then be closed and covered over once again.
Keeping your septic tank clean can help extend the period of time between cleanings. However, you should still pay attention to signs that it’s time for a tank cleaning. The most common symptom is a foul, sewer-like odor coming from your home’s drains and yards. This is caused by the breakdown of organic waste in your septic tank.
You should also monitor your septic tank and the overall drainage of your yard for issues like standing water or swampy areas after heavy rain. These can indicate that your septic tank is overflowing or that there’s a problem with the drain field. In addition to keeping an eye on the septic tank, you should also be aware of any trees or shrubbery near your septic system. Roots from nearby plants can cause cracks or clogs in your septic tank and drainage pipes.