If your home currently benefits from a septic tank, how well it functions will depend on the way you treat it. Unfortunately, buying into certain septic tank myths can result in yours functioning at a less-than-desirable level. To ensure this doesn't happen, it's a good idea to learn what they are.
It isn't necessary to add bacteria to your septic tank
Your septic tank will only function at an optimal level when it has enough bacteria. Once waste enters its walls, the bacteria there work hard to break it down, allowing you to enjoy a smooth waste disposal system. Although your tank comes with bacteria, the use of disinfectants means you'll need to add more in to prolong its life. Rather than taking a laidback approach, consider contacting a professional to figure out when your model will need more bacteria.
It's okay to flush kitchen waste into a septic tank
From food debris through to oil, anything that isn't water has the potential to cause harm to your septic tank. Oil tends to gravitate towards material such as hair and debris from trees, which can result in challenging clogs over time. Unfortunately, you may only notice the clog when your tank starts to overflow, resulting in nasty smells that are difficult to shift. It's also worth noting that coffee grinds will gather in your drainage system, causing it to narrow and making your tank less effective.
You need to pump yours as soon as it's full
If you're checking your tank to find that it is full, don't rush straight to pumping it. Your tank benefits from pumping when it gathers more solid waste than it can handle. Unfortunately, it's difficult to figure out whether yours features too much gunk without performing a sludge test. As you may already know, the sludge test involves asking a professional to use tools to determine how thick the contents are. Should they find that there is too much sludge in your tank, they will recommend using a pumping service. Ideally, you will pump your tank every three to five years, but the exact number of years between pumps will vary according to the size of your household.
If you're due to move into a house that has a septic tank or you're new to using one for another reason, it's a good idea to call a professional out to see it. By doing so you can determine if it needs pumping, if any repairs are overdue and if it could benefit from more bacteria.
Share6 August 2018
Yo! My name is Stan. While septic services may not seem like a very cool subject for a blog, I can assure you that it is a very important one. I first became interested in septic services when I moved out of the city to the country. It was a real change of gear and there were many differences which I needed to get used to. One of the most important differences was that the property was not connected to the local sewer system. This meant I had to get used to maintaining the septic tank. Thankfully, I got lots of great advice from my neighbours and the septic company. I hope you like this blog.
