Many dream of moving out to the country and living on a piece of land. But, what most people don’t think about is the septic system they’ll need to deal with.
Septic Tank Cleaning Perth helps keep a septic tank healthy and functioning properly. They do this by introducing good bacteria to the tank.
Wastewater from toilets and the home’s sinks, bathtubs, showers, and washing machines (called grey water) runs into a drainage pipe leading to your septic tank. The septic tank serves as a settling basin, where solid waste accumulates and gets broken down by bacteria. Heavy solids sink to the bottom of the tank, forming a layer called sludge. Oils and grease float to the top, forming a layer of semi-solid scum. The wastewater between those two layers flows through the outlet pipe in your septic tank, which should have a screen or filter to prevent large particles from clogging your drain field.
As the bacteria break down these organic waste contaminants, they release gases. These include hydrogen sulfide, which has a strong odor similar to rotten eggs. The septic system must vent these gases to prevent them from building up to dangerous levels in the home or causing damage to the tank, lines, and absorption field. Odors and gases are released through a vent in the lid of your septic tank or a pipe in the roof.
After leaving the septic tank, wastewater flows through a perforated pipe into an absorption field (also known as a drain field or leach field). The drain field is a series of gravel-filled trenches where the wastewater seeps into the soil and gets absorbed by the grass above.
In a septic system, it is important to keep the absorption field free of obstructions and covered with grass. This helps the grass roots grow over and help with filtration, preventing the wastewater from flowing back into the house or clogging the system. Additionally, it is a good idea to add 8 to 12-inches of mulch around the septic tank, pipes, and drain field. This will help to reduce the amount of nutrients that flow into nearby drinking water wells and cause cyanobacteria or harmful algae blooms in local water bodies, which can use up all the oxygen in the water and kill fish and other aquatic organisms. This is also a great way to prevent soil compaction in the drain field.
The septic tank is a large underground container that holds wastewater from household plumbing. Wastewater flows from your toilets, sinks and drains into the septic system through a single pipe. The septic tank is made of concrete, fiberglass or polyethylene and is placed under the ground. The septic system also includes an absorption field and a leach line that is buried in the soil. A septic tank that is not properly pumped or maintained can create a number of problems that could threaten the health and safety of a family.
When wastewater enters a septic tank, it is separated into two chambers by a partial wall. The heavier masses, including fecal matter, sink to the bottom of the tank while the lighter mass of greases, oils and soaps floats to the top. Bacteria in the septic tank breaks down the solids and liquids into water, carbon dioxide and indigestible materials. The liquid, or effluent, exits the tank into a drain field or leach field through pipes that are buried in gravel trenches. The effluent then seeps into the soil, where bacteria further filter and digest contaminants until they reach groundwater.
As the septic tank fills, it forms a layer of sludge at the bottom. This layer needs to be pumped out periodically as part of routine maintenance. If the septic tank is not emptied regularly, the sludge will clog the outlet pipe and backup the home’s drains. A septic tank that is too full may also leak waste into the absorption field, which can lead to contamination of groundwater supplies.
Signs that the septic tank is overflowing include a strong sewage odor in the home, backed up or slow draining and water puddles on the yard near the septic tank. The septic tank should be emptied when the sludge layer reaches about two-thirds of the tank’s capacity.
A homeowner can help prevent the need for septic tank pumping by avoiding throwing large amounts of fats, food rinds and other solid waste into the drain system. It is also a good idea to limit the use of garbage disposals and to wash clothes only on non-draining cycles. Additionally, directing downspouts away from the septic tank and planting trees with roots that do not interfere with the drainage system can help avoid damage to the septic tank and pipes.
The frequency of septic tank cleaning depends on the size of the septic system, how many people live in the home, and what kind of wastewater it is handling. Generally, homeowners should have the tank cleaned every three to five years. However, it is important to have a professional septic tank contractor inspect the septic tank and recommend an appropriate schedule for your specific septic system.
The main function of a septic tank is to trap the waste and allow bacteria to break it down in a process called natural digestion. During this process, sludge and scum forms. The sludge settles at the bottom of the tank while the scum rises to the top. Over time, the sludge and scum will need to be removed from the tank and then transported away for disposal. The septic tank should be cleaned before the levels of sludge and scum rise too high and can enter the drain pipes in your home, clog them, and cause sewage to back up into the house.
A septic tank can only work properly if the bacteria in it are healthy. If the bacteria die, the septic tank will just act as a storage container for waste. Without the bacteria, the waste in the septic tank will flow directly into the drain field and eventually clog it. A homeowner can avoid this by scheduling regular septic tank cleanings.
During a septic tank cleaning, a septic technician locates the septic tank and inserts a large hose into it. The septic tank is then pumped out, and the waste is transported to a dump site for proper disposal. It is important to hire a septic tank cleaning specialist to handle this process, as the septic tank contains dangerous and toxic substances.
Some septic tank cleaning companies advertise products that can extend the amount of time between septic tank pumpings. However, these products can actually disrupt the primordial ecosystem that has developed in your septic tank and interfere with the bacteria’s ability to digest the waste that goes into it. These chemicals can also be toxic to plants and pets. If you want to prolong the period between septic tank pumpings, it is best to talk to your septic tank cleaning specialist about adding adult live bacteria that are “facultative,” meaning they can work with or without oxygen.
Many septic tank cleaners contain a combination of different bacteria, enzymes, surfactants, soap-based cleaning agents and other additives that work together to break down organic waste in the tank. They may also include special odor control ingredients to help with the unpleasant smell that can develop from septic tank residue. These products are available in a variety of strengths and concentrations so that homeowners can find the one that is best suited to their needs and budget. For example, some septic tank cleaners are formulated to be pet-safe, making them ideal for use in homes with animals.
While septic tank cleaners can help to extend the time between septic system cleanings, it is important for homeowners to practice proper septic system care to avoid expensive clogs and backups. This includes not flushing non-biodegradable items like wet wipes, cotton balls, paper towels and feminine hygiene products down toilets that connect to the septic system. It is also recommended to avoid using harsh chemicals and household cleaning products that can negatively affect the bacterial balance within the septic tank.
It is also wise to have the septic system’s drain field lines regularly inspected and cleaned. These lines allow wastewater and sludge to flow from the septic tank into the surrounding soil, where it is processed naturally by the soil microbes. In order to keep these lines clear and prevent blockages, it is recommended to have them cleaned at least once every two years.
In addition to keeping the septic system clean and functioning properly, regular septic tank cleaning can also increase the overall value of your home. When prospective buyers see that the septic tank has been properly maintained and cared for, they will likely be more interested in buying your property.
The septic system is an essential component of any home, but it can be easy to neglect or forget about it until it starts to give out. Regularly using septic tank cleaners can help to ensure that the system is operating at its best and reduce the risk of expensive cleanup services down the road. For the best results, homeowners should consult with a professional septic service provider and ask plenty of questions throughout the process to make sure that they are getting exactly what they need from their service.