Septic tank pumping removes accumulated solid waste from your home’s wastewater system. This prevents the solids from reaching a critical level where they flow into and clog the drain field.
Heavy materials settle to the bottom forming a sludge layer while grease and lighter materials float to the top as scum. Technicians locate and expose the access ports and connect powerful vacuum equipment that pulls all layers into a truck for disposal at licensed facilities. Click the Septic Tank Pump Out Perth to learn more.
Septic tanks work to “sort” household waste, allowing solids to settle at the bottom and fats, oils and greases to float at the top. The septic system ideally keeps these solids from moving out into the drain field, where they can clog up and restrict wastewater flow. Unfortunately, this doesn’t always happen. As a result, septic tank systems need to be pumped out periodically.
How often you need to get your septic tank pumped depends on the size of your home and how much wastewater it produces. In general, households with more people use more water and put more solid waste into septic tanks than smaller homes. The size of your septic tank also matters: Larger tanks can hold more solid sludge than smaller ones, so they fill up faster.
The best way to ensure your septic tank is getting pumped regularly is to stick with a maintenance schedule. This should include scheduling service every 2 to 3 years and reminding everyone in your home that only human waste and toilet paper should be put into the drains. Other solids — including cellulosic compounds, slowly biodegradable organics and non-biodegradables such as kitty litter and plastics — should be trashed rather than thrown into your septic tank.
On pumping day, technicians locate and expose the access ports on your septic tank and connect powerful vacuum equipment to draw out all of the sludge, liquid and scum layers from inside the tank. This process takes 2-3 hours based on the size of your tank and waste volume. Many septic companies perform a detailed system check during pumping, looking at tank baffles and wall filters as well as inspecting your drain field for signs of damage. They can then provide recommendations for future maintenance.
Once the septic tank is pumped, technicians may also use a hose to stir the sludge and scum levels to help them break up and dissolve more quickly. They will then replace the access and inspection ports on your septic tank and cover them with riser lids (older tanks have coffin-style lids that must be removed). Before they leave, technicians will note the condition of your septic system to inform future maintenance plans.
Inspection
A septic tank inspection is much like a visit to the doctor: it’s important for system health but sometimes a bit unnerving to hear what might be wrong. Getting your septic tank inspected on a regular basis can help prevent costly repairs and keep your family safe.
Before the pumper begins the inspection, they’ll need to locate the septic tank and its access point. This can be done with a physical inspection or by looking for clues, such as where the septic drain field was previously flooded (usually indicated by a patch of dark green grass). The inspector will also want to know when it last had water added, as this may indicate if the septic system is working properly or if it needs to be refilled.
When it comes time to do the actual septic tank inspection, the technician will start by making sure that all the connections are secure and that the septic system was installed to the proper specifications. This can be done by examining the septic tank, evaluating the condition of the inlet and outlet baffles and the distribution box when it is accessible, as well as performing a flow test.
The next step is to begin the pumping process, which will take a few hours. While the pumper is removing waste, the inspector will listen for any unusual noises that might suggest a problem and look at the sludge layer to see how deep it is. The sludge layer should not exceed 1/3 of the total volume and should be below the level of the inlet and outlet baffles.
If the tank has not been pumped in awhile, it’s possible that the solid waste will have gotten into the leach field and caused it to clog or become over saturated. If this is the case, the technician will use a probe to check for hydraulic stress in the leach field by poking holes into the wet areas and looking for rapid filling of the probe.
If the probe tests positive for hydraulic stress, a dig-down will be required to inspect the leach field, including a visual examination of the surface and a probing of the area with the inlet and outlet baffles. If a dig-down is necessary, the inspector will also evaluate the condition of the distribution box when it is accessible and, if needed, excavate to check for cracks, decay or root intrusion.
Repairs
A septic tank is a large concrete box that sits underneath your home. Waste goes into the tank and bacteria and yeasts break it down. It then enters a drain field (or absorption field) that slowly sieves the waste into the soil. This is a common way to handle wastewater in rural areas with limited city services. If you use a garbage disposal or a lot of water, your tank will need to be pumped out more frequently.
The pumping process may not be the most pleasant or clean process so it is important to make an appointment for this during a time when you can deal with it. The professionals need access to the site, so you should clear out the area around the tank and pipes. You should also make sure that there are no trees or shrubs overgrowing the tank, as they can block access or rot.
While the tank is being pumped, the technician will listen to your system and watch for signs that it needs repairs or replacements. This will help them give you a more accurate idea of how long your current septic system will last before it needs to be replaced.
One of the most common problems is a clogged or broken baffle, especially the outlet baffle. The other is a broken motor, often from large solids like wipes and feminine hygiene products. Both are easy to fix and the sooner they are addressed, the better. Other internal parts can also be replaced during a septic service visit, such as the walls of the tank or the vent components.
Another common problem is the drainfield becoming waterlogged. This happens when too much liquid flows to it, which means the septic tank isn’t able to protect the drainfield from solids. This can lead to contamination of the groundwater and can also cause the leach field to need to be replaced.
The best way to prevent this from happening is to limit your water usage, keep garbage disposals and other appliances to their intended uses and have the tank pumped out regularly. Also, keep in mind that if you are having problems with your septic system, such as a lack of wastewater flow or the septic tank smell, it’s likely because the leach field is clogged and it’s time for a new one.
Replacement
Your septic tank is the key to protecting your home and your health. It removes solid waste from household wastewater so that the water exiting the tank (called effluent) can more easily filter through soil in your drainfield. This prevents the drainfield from clogging and failing. It also reduces groundwater contamination from the sewage in the drainfield. Septic tanks also provide aeration to help promote aerobic bacteria that consume suspended solids and other contaminants in the drainfield.
Your local board of health oversees all upgrades and repairs to your septic system and may require you to get your tank pumped at least once every 5 years. However, the frequency of septic tank pumping will depend on your household size and how much waste your household produces each day. The more you produce, the sooner you’ll need to pump out your tank.
You can check your septic tank for signs of needing to be pumped out by looking for a sign of heavy sludge and crust formation at the bottom of the tank and foamy scum on the top. If you’ve noticed these signs, call your septic tank pumping company to have the tank emptied.
When you hire a septic tank pumping company, make sure they have experience and are licensed, insured and bonded. You can ask friends and family who they’ve used in the past or look for reviews online to find a good company.
Once the septic tank is full, a septic tank pumping contractor will use a truck-mounted suction pump to vacuum out your septic tank and deposit it in a safe location. Depending on the size of your tank, they may need to dig up parts of your yard to get to it.
When the contractor is finished, they’ll cover the septic tank with a new lid and re-seal it. They’ll need to open and close the tank again for routine pumping, maintenance and inspections. To make this easy, make sure the contractor has a clear pathway from the tank to your driveway.