Why Regular Maintenance is Key for Your Septic Tank

Septic Tank

Whether you have an old or new septic tank, it is essential to regularly clean and inspect it. Otherwise, solids in the septic tank will slowly clog the drainage system and the soil it drains into.

If your toilets are flushing slowly or your sinks are backing up, these could be signs that it’s time to get your septic tank pumped and inspected.

It Keeps Your System Healthy

Besides the water and waste that goes into it, your septic tank is an actual living environment that houses a microbial system of bacteria, yeasts, and enzymes. This microbial system digests the heavy solids that settle in your septic tank and breaks them down into sludge layers and gasses. The lighter solids that rise to the surface are filtered into your drain field by perforated pipes.

Your septic tank needs to be inspected and pumped often to ensure the proper function of your microbial system. Regular inspections with septic tank services Orlando FL, help spot any signs of a leak, overflow, or clog.

A septic tank leak can contaminate your property with toxic wastewater, posing a severe health risk. It can also infiltrate groundwater and infect wells with harmful bacteria, compromising the public water supply. Regular maintenance of your septic tank will prevent this. It is essential to keep accurate records of pumping, inspections, and repairs to avoid property contamination.

It Prevents Drain Field Failure

The drain field is an essential part of your septic system that filters and breaks down wastewater from the tank. If this is done correctly, your plan may succeed or sewage back into your home. A failed drain field is costly and unpleasant for anyone, mainly because the waste in your house contains harmful pathogens and bacteria.

A malfunctioning drain field can be avoided by having your septic system pumped regularly (usually every two to three years) and by not flushing items down the drain that might block pipes, including as diapers, wipes, grease, food scraps, and chemical drain openers. Also, it’s essential to keep pets, vehicles, and storage sheds away from the drainfield area.

Parked vehicles and large crowds can also put too much stress on a tank or the surrounding soil, causing cracks that allow waste to leak out of the system and contaminate groundwater.

It Prevents Blockages

If the drains in your home are slower to work than usual or waste backs up into the toilets, it’s time to find out where the problem is. It could be a clog in the drains, the septic tank, or the AWTS field.

If you think it’s your septic tank, you’ll want to check the inlet pipe. This pipe connects to the tank and is usually green or white. If it’s black, there may be a blockage.

Flushing unsafe solid materials like baby wipes, sanitary products, dental floss, and hair extensions down the drain can also cause clogs. Chemicals such as bleach, household cleaners, and other toxic substances can break down the good bacteria in your septic system and make it less effective at treating wastewater. You can reduce the poisonous substances that enter your septic system by using natural or plant-based cleaning products. It’s also a good idea to keep an accurate maintenance record.

It Saves You Money

The best way to prevent costly system failures is to have your septic tank pumped regularly. On average, a household septic tank must be pumped every three years.

When a septic tank isn’t pumped, solid waste can leak from the tank and pollute the soil and groundwater. This can lead to health issues for people and flora and fauna in surrounding areas.

A septic system can also be contaminated with dangerous chemicals, harming nearby water supplies. This can affect the local sewage treatment plant and thousands of people who drink the same water.

To help your septic system run smoothly, never flush anything down the toilet other than human waste and toilet paper. Keep an eye on your sink drains and avoid using cleaning products that contain bleach and other chemical compounds that kill the bacteria in a septic tank. Instead, opt for earth-friendly cleaning products.