As wastewater flows into the tank, solid waste sinks to the bottom and accumulates as a thick layer of sludge. Lighter materials, such as grease and oil, float to the top and condense into a layer of scum.
Pumping the septic tank removes these solids, freeing up space for new wastewater to enter. Keeping up with septic tank pumping prevents clogs and other problems down the line. Contact Septic Tank Pump Out Perth now!
It is common for water to pool in the yard after heavy rains. However, if you see pools in your yard that are not a result of the weather, it could be a sign that your septic tank is full and needs to be pumped. Pooling water near your home’s septic tank or drain field may also indicate that a pipe connected to the septic system has broken.
Your septic tank serves to sort the household waste that enters it, with solid matter settling down to the bottom and liquids leaving to be absorbed by the soil. However, when a septic tank gets too full, solid waste can start to clog the septic system and absorption field, which can lead to sewage backup in your toilets.
A septic tank can be a long-lasting part of your property, but it does need to be pumped and cleaned on a regular basis. If you don’t pump your septic tank regularly, it can overflow, which leads to costly and unpleasant consequences.
You can prevent your septic tank from getting too full by reducing how much water you use in your home. You can do this by showering and washing clothes in short increments throughout the day rather than back-to-back sessions, and by installing low-flow sinks and toilets. It is also helpful to reduce the amount of chemicals you put down your drains, as these can interfere with the natural bacterial action that breaks down waste in your septic tank.
Once your septic tank reaches capacity, it will need to be pumped out as soon as possible to avoid sewage backup in your home. This can be a very dangerous situation and should never be ignored, as it could result in contaminated water flooding into your living space or groundwater supplies.
To help you keep track of when your septic tank needs to be pumped, contact Upstate Septic Tank. We can help you set up a pumping schedule that will ensure your tank is emptied before it overflows and causes problems in your home. We can also inspect your septic tank, ensuring it is working properly.
Unpleasant Odors
Septic tank odors are not uncommon, but if you notice the smell in your home or outside in your yard, it may be time to have your septic system inspected. Usually, the foul odor is caused by a buildup of organic waste in the septic tank that’s being broken down by microorganisms. A clogged toilet seal or faulty plumbing vents can also cause the odor to be felt in your home, and these problems should be fixed right away.
Septic odors are not to be confused with sewer odors, which are stronger and can be dangerous. Septic tank odors are the result of the anaerobic breakdown of organic waste by the microorganisms, and it’s important that these fumes are able to escape from the septic system into the soil treatment area or leach field. If you’re noticing that the septic tank odor is getting stronger, it could be an indicator that the septic tank is full and needs to be pumped.
If the septic tank odor is coming from your home, the first thing to check is to make sure that the septic tank lid is tightly shut. If you’ve been keeping up with your pumping schedule, this shouldn’t be an issue, but if the tank is overflowing, it will need to be pumped out sooner rather than later.
Another possible source of the septic odors is that the wind is blowing the smell directly toward your house. This can occur if your property is in a valley or surrounded by trees, and it’s an easy fix by having the plumber extend your plumbing vent. A carbon filter can be added to the septic system roof vent to help conceal odors, too.
Keep in mind that a strong septic odor can also be a sign of a leak in the septic tank or septic system pipes. If you see wet spots or lush grass near your septic tank or drain field, it’s definitely time to have these issues inspected by the local plumber. Putting off this vital maintenance can lead to an even bigger mess in the future, so it’s best to act now!
Bacteria Buildup
Whenever you use your toilets, some inorganic waste gets into the septic tank. Generally speaking, bacteria break down these solids, turning them into liquid waste. This liquid waste, known as effluent, is then filtered through the soil in the septic system’s drainfield, reducing its volume and helping it to flow freely without clogging your home’s drains or sewage systems.
But the nature of septic tanks means that solid waste accumulates and grows over time. Despite the ingenious engineering behind them, septic tanks simply cannot operate infinitely; they are designed to be emptied periodically to avoid overflow and clogs.
Septic tanks contain a series of layers that depend on what goes into them. Normally, the first layer on the surface is the scum layer – this is composed of lighter discharged material such as FOGs (fats, oils and greases). It’s also not uncommon to see bits of paper or poo rising to the top, too.
This light scum layer is actually a pretty good sign that your septic tank is functioning well. This is because bacteria are able to digest this material quite quickly. As a result, the septic tank is working hard to keep this layer low and sanitary.
On the other hand, the middle layer is called sludge. This is the layer that contains most of your household waste. The septic tank’s bacteria work non-stop in this layer, breaking down and digesting solid waste. But this process requires oxygen to work, and there’s not much of it in the sludge layer. As a result, the digestion is inefficient and smells bad.
In the septic system, a healthy bacterial environment is crucial to keeping wastewater flowing properly. This is why it’s important to keep up with septic tank maintenance, including regular pump-outs.
You can also help to promote bacterial growth by lowering the amount of solid waste you send into the septic tank. This can be done by limiting how many people you have in your home, or by using water-saving fixtures. It’s also wise to refrain from flushing down the drains items that can kill the helpful bacteria, such as antibacterial soaps and bleaches. You should also avoid putting solid materials into your septic system, such as cigarette butts, tissues, kitty litter and left over medications.
Clogged Drains
If you have a clogged drain in your home, the problem may have been caused by the septic tank or its vent pipe. It could also be due to a blocked inlet baffle or an oversaturated drain field. Regardless of the cause, these problems are often the result of not getting your septic system pumped on a regular basis.
During a pump out, a professional service company will come with a large truck that has a giant tank attached to it. They will then hook up a hose that will essentially suck out all of the sewage from your septic tank. It will be transported away in the truck to a sewage processing plant and handled safely.
Once your septic tank is empty, you should be able to use your plumbing normally again. If not, the clog may be caused by solid waste or sludge that was in the tank. Some of this waste won’t decompose in the septic tank, so it will eventually build up. The inlet baffle to the tank will become clogged with this solid waste, and it will begin to prevent waste from leaving the house.
Another reason for clogged drains is that your septic system is overloaded with non-organic waste, such as paper towels, disposable diapers and toilet paper. Keeping your septic system pumped and limiting the amount of non-organic waste you put into it will help you avoid this problem.
A clogged inlet baffle can be a serious problem and can lead to a backed-up toilet inside your home. If you suspect that this is a problem, have a professional check the condition of your septic tank and the inlet baffle to the tank.
The drain field, absorption field or leach field is the area outside your home where liquids from the septic system sieve through the dirt. If it gets clogged or oversaturated, you will notice that your drains and toilets are slow to drain.
The best way to avoid these issues is by having your septic tank pumped on a regular basis, being careful about what you flush down your pipes and by installing efficient showerheads and faucets. If you notice a sludge or scum buildup in your septic tank or in your home, contact a septic system technician right away.