A well-maintained septic tank can reduce the need to make costly repairs. The bacteria in the tank is constantly working to eliminate solid waste. It is a good idea if it is not cleaned every three years. This will ensure that it functions properly. It is best to have it checked by a professional contractor at the very least once a month.
There are many things you could do to keep your tank clean. The first thing you should do is to use less water than usual. The more water in a tank, the more difficult it becomes for wastes to be reduced. You can reduce water consumption by using water efficient toilets, showerheads and washing machines. You can also reduce water consumption by not running the tap while you brush your teeth and wash dishes.
When wastewater from your home passes into the septic tank, it separates into three layers: solid waste (sludge), liquid waste (scum), and oil and grease. The solids settle to bottom of the tank and the oils, grease, and other substances rise to the top. The septic tank is populated with bacteria that breaks down some waste and distributes it in the leach field. Pumps will be required to remove the sludge once it reaches the bottom.
You should have a septic tank to handle the water you use, depending on the size of the home. The average American adult uses between 80-100 gallons of water per day. This translates to approximately 90 gallons of solid waste every year. A septic tank should be capable of reducing solids by 50 percent.
The use of chemical additives in your septic system will not improve its performance. They can actually do more harm than good. For example, sodium hydroxide can increase the alkalinity of the system, which can accelerate clogging and lead to sludge buildup.
Septic tanks don’t require much maintenance. They do need to be pumped every so often to remove any solid waste which is not allowed into the leach area. Unless there is significant sludge buildup, most septic tank do not need to be pumped. It is important to immediately notify your local health department if you suspect a problem.
The septic company will pump your septic tank and also do a short inspection of the tank. These inspections can help you identify any potential problems. An inspection of the septic tank can be performed on a single occasion or when you purchase a new property. These inspections can cost anywhere from $100 to $300, and are often included in the repair cost.
How often you should pump your septic tank depends on the size of your tank and the number of people living in your home. The EPA recommends that your tank be pumped every three to five years. However, your specific situation may require a more frequent pumping than this. For example, a single person might need to pump their 1,000-gallon tank once every nine to 12 year, while a five-person family may need to pump it every two to 3 years.
You should consider putting a septic system on the site prior to laying the foundation for a new house. Contractors won’t be allowed to drive over the tank while they’re building the house. This could cause delays in the construction process. It will stop people from driving over the septic tank if it is located in an area that supplies are delivered. You may need to wait until the construction is complete before you can install it.
It can be difficult to estimate the cost of a septic tank clean. Three local companies are the best way to estimate the cost. Three companies should be able give you a written breakdown of the cost. This way, you won’t have to make a decision on the basis of guesswork. Septic tanks are expensive but necessary.