A well-maintained septic tank can reduce the need to make costly repairs. The tank is constantly being cleaned by bacteria that breaks down solid waste. It is a good idea that it be cleaned at the least once every three year to ensure it is in good condition. 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. You should use less water than you normally do. The more water in a tank, the more difficult it becomes for wastes to be reduced. You can reduce water usage by using water-efficient toilets. You can also save water by not running your faucet while you brush or 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 the bottom of the tank, while the oils and grease rise to the top. The septic tank is populated with bacteria that breaks down some waste and distributes it in the leach field. When the sludge reaches the bottom of the tank, a pump will be necessary to remove the buildup.
Depending on the size of your home, you should have a septic tank that will handle the amount of water you use. Most American adults use between 80 and 100 gallons of water a day. This translates to approximately 90 gallons of solid waste every year. The standard performance of a toilet is 50 percent of solids.
A chemical additive in your septic tank will not improve its function. 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. However, they need to be pumped frequently to remove solid waste that can’t flow into the leach fields. Most septic tanks do not require pumping unless there are significant amounts of sludge. However, it is best that you get it checked as soon as possible if there is a problem.
Septic companies will inspect your tank after pumping it. These inspections will alert you to any potential problems. A septic tank inspection is possible on a one-time or a permanent basis. These inspections cost about $100 to $300 and are usually rolled into the repair costs.
The size of your tank, as well the number of people who live in your home, will impact how often you need pump your septic tank. The EPA recommends you pump your tank once every three-five years. Your specific situation may require more frequent pumping. A single person may only need to pump their 1,000-gallon tank every nine to twelve years, while a family of five may need to pump every two to three.
You should consider putting a septic system on the site prior to laying the foundation for a new house. Contractors won’t have to drive over the tank site as they build the house. This could delay the building process. If the septic tanks are located in an area where supplies are delivered it will prevent them driving over it. So, you may have to wait until the building process is almost complete before you can get it installed.
It can be difficult to estimate the cost of a septic tank clean. The best way to estimate the cost is to call three local companies. The companies should be able provide a written breakdown of costs. This way you won’t have make guesswork about the cost of your project. Septic tanks are necessary but expensive.