If you’re new to septic ownership, you may be wondering, “What maintenance does a septic tank need?” Acme shares some of our favorite septic care tips with you today.
Septic systems play a vital role in maintaining sanitation, providing a reliable way to manage waste. But ensuring these systems work efficiently and last for years requires proper care and maintenance. So, what can septic owners do to keep their septic systems in great shape? Read on to learn more about valuable septic care services and how they keep your septic system operating well for decades!
Septic Pump-Outs
Septic pump-outs are often considered one of the most important services for septic systems. This service removes the liquid and solid waste that naturally accumulates in your septic tank with use. If this waste was not removed periodically, your septic tank would fill to the top and overflow, which is a situation you’d like to avoid, trust us!
Septic pump-outs are performed with commercial pump-trucks, also called vacuum trucks. Pump trucks are equipped with a large hose that is lowered into your septic tank and removes all septic waste within the tank. Once this waste is removed, it is carried away to a designated septic waste treatment site where it is further treated.
Septic pump-outs are necessary every 3-5 years. If pump-outs are performed within this time frame, most septic owners can avoid the results of a septic tank that has become too full. However, there are times when homeowners may miss a septic pump-out, or face unexpected challenges such as heavy rainfall, flooding, or clogs, that require urgent attention. Here are a few signs that may indicate the need for an immediate septic pump-out:
Lush, green grass over your septic tank or drain field
Foul smells coming from the area around your septic tank cover
Wastewater backups in your home
Gurgling pipes
Drains that work more slowly than they should
Inspections
Many states require annual vehicle inspections to ensure the safety of the vehicle and minimize emissions. Septic system inspections accomplish the same general goal, and are a required part of septic ownership. Septic inspections are performed by a licensed septic technician who evaluates the interior of your septic tank, septic drain field, and any other part of your septic system.
Inspections are necessary to ensure that your septic system is in good repair and will not contribute to excess pollution in the environment.
Watch What Goes Down The Drain!
The sinks, showers, and toilets in your home are all connected to your septic tank, so thinking before washing or flushing certain items or substances down the drain is a great way to avoid septic stress. Here are a few non-septic friendly materials that do not belong down the drains or toilets in your home:
Medications
Fats, oils, and grease
Baby wipes and diapers
Harsh chemicals such as bleach and ammonia
Even if certain objects are able to be flushed or fit down the drain in your kitchen sink, that doesn’t mean that they’re safe to be handled by your septic tank. One reason for this is that there is a population of beneficial bacteria in your septic tank that aids in the process of breaking down and treating the waste that flows into the tank. Many types of household cleansers, pharmaceuticals, and other substances destroy this beneficial bacteria, negatively impacting your septic system’s ability to effectively manage waste.
Fats, oils, and grease, commonly known as “FOGs,” often solidify over time, which leads to septic clogs and backups.
Practice Septic Maintenance 101 Before You Have To Call Septic 911
The answer to the question, “What maintenance does a septic system need?” is thankfully very simple. Be careful about what goes down the drains in your home, and partner with an expert septic care company like Acme!
Contact us today for septic maintenance, inspections, installations, and more.
