Maintaining a Septic System

A septic tank is the primary part of a septic system designed for wastewater to drain into the tank. The tank has 2 or more chambers, one chamber to separate the hard non dissolved solids, and the other to allow for leaching or pumping of the fluids into a septic field or mound. Areas that are not served by the local sewage treatment plants require a septic tank. A septic tank is connected to all the drain lines within a building that has sinks, toilets and shower facilities.

A septic tank can serve a small home, or even a large community, the size of the tank will dictate the volume of sewage it is able to handle. A holding tank is different from a septic tank in the fact that a septic holding tank will not allow pumping or leaching into a field. All sizes of septic holding tank must be pumped out every time it reaches its holding capacity. The major two types of bacteria’s to remember are Anaerobic and Aerobic. Anaerobic bacteria’s are found inside the septic tank. The warmer the temperature inside of the septic tank, the happier the bacteria becomes. Aerobic bacteria’s are found in the septic fields. Their job is to continue to break down the sewage.

• Proper Septic System Care Waste water draining into a septic tank and field should never consist of the following;
• Non- biodegradable waste such as diapers, cloths, hygiene products, cigarettes, cotton make-up swabs or Qtips.
• Drain cleaning chemicals or petroleum products.
• Herbicides, pesticides, bleach, swimming pool water, corrosive fluids.
• Paints, solvents or any other in-organic materials.
• Attention must be given to prevent excessive rain water or runoff from getting into the septic tank.
• Septic Tank Cleaning and pump-outs
• Holding Tank Pump outs and cleaning
• Clean ups of flooded areas

Any of the above items will kill the anaerobic bacteria’s required to breakdown the human waste solids causing septic tank failure. Smells, odors and sour fields are a direct result of dumping the wrong things into a septic tank system. Other areas of concern are the use of garbage disposal units also known as garburators that can overload the system and cause failure.

Because of the anaerobic action taking place in the tank, hydrogen sulfide gases are produced. Never go into a septic tank that is or has been in use. Death has occurred many times from people unknowingly or carelessly working in and around septic tanks. Alarms can be installed to warn of a clogged discharge pipe, or a failure of the pumps used to remove the effluent.

The cost to clean a septic tank depends on where you are located as well as how much waste there is to remove. Other factors such as ease of access to the tank can come into play. We recommend the scheduling of the septic tank cleaning in advance so that we can efficiently plan the routes saving you money on organized Vac Truck traveling charges.