The septic system is one of the most important systems in your home. It’s vital that you maintain it regularly with cleanings and inspections to ensure proper function and prevent dangerous sewage backups.
General guidelines state that a tank should be cleaned when the top of the sludge layer is within 6-8 inches of the basic outlet pipe. Contact Septic Tank Cleaning Perth now!
A septic tank that is regularly inspected and cleaned will contain all sewer gas and waste, ensuring that bacteria doesn’t spread to the home and family. This is especially important in the event of a flood, when the system could be particularly vulnerable to damage and clogging.
Septic tanks are put in place for homes that aren’t connected to the municipal sewer system, and they work by storing wastewater underground where it can separate based on its mass and buoyancy. Solids rest at the bottom of the tank (sludge), water settles in the middle, and fats and oils rise to the top where bacteria breaks them down. Wastewater then flows out to the drain field where it’s treated by the soil.
When a septic tank is inspected, a professional can look for signs that it’s time to have it pumped. Keeping up with routine septic tank cleaning is a sure way to avoid a buildup of sludge that can lead to a clogged system, so this should be done every three to five years. In addition, septic tank inspections can reveal if the system is functioning correctly.
The inspector will begin by finding the septic tank location, and may need to check the “as-built” drawing of the house to locate it. Newer systems will be marked with a marker that’s visible in the ground, but older ones might not have this feature. The inspector will also test the septic system to make sure that it’s draining properly and that wastewater is flowing to the tank, not back into the house through the toilets. This can be tested by running water in the house and observing how it drains, or by using a dye to see if effluent is being discharged into the drainage field.
Once the inspector has determined that the septic tank is operating normally, they’ll move on to the drain field, where they’ll look for signs of trouble such as lush vegetation or standing water that indicates the septic tank is overflowing into the drainage field. They’ll also look for any cracks in the septic tank, which can be dangerous as well as costly to fix. The inspector will need to remove the septic tank cover to inspect it for cracks, but shouldn’t enter the tank itself because it’s dirty and unsanitary.
The best thing you can do to protect your septic tank is to stay away from items that can cause blockages. These include cat litter, coffee grounds, diapers, wipes, tampons, and condoms. You should also avoid flushing grease, paints and thinners, medical and dental waste, oil, and pesticides. If you follow these tips, your septic tank will continue working for years to come. And don’t forget to have it inspected and pumped on a regular basis, just like any other household fixture. This will help you avoid costly repairs and ensure that your septic system continues to work well into the future.
