You might not ever need to call a septic tank
pumping company if you had a self cleaning septic tank. Unfortunately, there is
no such thing. Once every few years, depending on the type of septic system,
soil type and amount of usage, you will need to have a septic tank pumper come
out and do the work.
You can extend the life of your septic tank system. By being careful about what
you put in the septic system, you can extend its lifetime and help ensure that
it operates in a sustainable, environmentally safe manner.
Whar are some examples of things that can harm your septic tank and leach field
or mound? One is harsh cleaning chemicals that may unbalance the environment of
micro-organisms in the septic system. These little guys actually decompose the
wastes, and we want to keep them happy and healthy. Other chemicals that slow
down or stop decomposition in septic tanks are pesticides, herbicides, cooking
oils and grease. It is easy to flush chemicals down the toilet and think that
they are gone, but when you have a septic system they are still on your property
and can cause you expensive septic problems.
When you call your local septic tank pumping company, they will arrive in a pump
truck with a tank of one to three thousand gallons capacity, more or less. The
drivers are usually very courteous...it may be poop t you, but it's their bread
and butter! If you stay out of the way you are welcome to watch them work.
If you do not know the location of the septic tank, the driver can usually
find it in a few minutes. He (r sometimes she) will open the lid and break up
the scum layer on top. Then he will suck out almost all the liquid from the
tank, leaving just a little to begin the biological process all over again.
After the cleaning the driver will perform a general inspection of your system
to make sure that the septic tank is still structurally sound, the visible pipes
are intact, any vents are working properly, and that any pumps and motors are in
good working condition. You should arrange for repair or replacement of any
defects found, in order to avoid a quick failure of the septic system.
Cleaning a septic tank looks simple but it can be a dangerous job. Please keep
children and pets way back, and no smoking because septic tanks give off
flammable methane gas.
If the septic tank pumper is friendly and does a good job, not spilling liquid
and not trampling your landscaping any more than necessary, they would very much
appreciate a $5 or $10 tip. They work hard and receive very little recognition,
and a tip is a big ego boost.
You will find many more articles that tell you how to live with your septic tank here.