Your septic tank works to sort the waste that enters your home. Solid waste settles to the bottom, while fats, oils, and grease float to the top.
Then, the liquid effluent leaves the septic tank to your drain field. Regular septic tank pumping prevents sewage backups and other costly issues. Contact Septic Tank Pumping Fresno for professional help.
There are many factors that contribute to how fast your sinks and toilet drain water. Often, slow drainage is caused by problems with your septic tank or your septic system. If your septic tank is full of sludge, it can cause the lines in your house to drain slowly. It’s important to have your septic tank pumped regularly, so that the solid waste doesn’t drain out into your home or into the surrounding environment.
When a septic tank is full of sludge, the wastewater in it isn’t processed properly. This can lead to clogs in your drains and other plumbing issues in your home. The sludge can also seep into the ground, which can damage your lawn and expose you and your family to disease-causing bacteria.
How often you need to have your septic tank pumped depends on how much waste your household produces and the size of your septic tank. A professional can help you determine the best pumping schedule for your home. They’ll inspect the septic tank to determine if it’s full of sludge or scum and what the best plan of action is for your home.
When you need to have your septic tank cleaned, make sure you hire a trusted and licensed plumber. You can ask your friends and neighbors who they’ve used in the past or do a quick online search for local plumbers. Check online reviews and Better Business Bureau ratings to ensure you’re hiring someone with a good track record.
Getting your septic tank pumped doesn’t have to be a messy or dangerous job. However, it is important to know how to properly perform this task so you don’t end up damaging your septic tank or the surrounding soil. First, make sure you’re working in a safe location with proper ventilation. Then, carefully remove the septic tank lid. It may be heavy, so be careful when lifting it. Never try to work on a septic tank without proper safety gear.
Once the septic tank is emptied, you should notice a decrease in sewage odors in your home. If you continue to smell sewage, it’s possible that there is a problem with your septic tank or the drain field. If a clog causes the septic tank’s ventilation to become blocked, it could lead to a buildup of gasses in your house.
Sickly Odor
When septic tank gases aren’t filtered properly, they can escape your home and emit pungent odors. One of the most common causes of this is hydrogen sulfide, which has a distinctive smell similar to rotten eggs. Exposure to even low concentrations of this gas can cause eye irritation, sore throat, coughing and shortness of breath. Prolonged exposure can result in headaches, dizziness, pulmonary edema and even death.
This is why it’s important to regularly check the condition of your septic tank’s lid. If the lid is cracked or broken, the tank could leak, causing bad odors. It’s also a good idea to keep the lid securely fastened when not using it.
Another common cause of septic tank smells is a clogged drain or toilet. Over time, a clogged drain can dry out the pipes, reducing the level of ventilation. This can also increase the amount of solids that reach your septic tank, and in turn, the level of sewage that flows into the home.
If you notice a strong odor coming from your home, it may be time to get your septic tank pumped. When a septic tank is full, anaerobic bacteria in it begin to decompose waste without oxygen. This releases a pungent odor into the home’s air, and it can be quite unpleasant.
When you get your septic tank pumped, the technician will also clean the bottom of the tank, which eliminates the odor-causing sludge. In addition, the technician will inspect your septic system to look for cracks, leaks and other damage. They will recommend further maintenance or repair services as needed.
If you’re not sure how often your septic tank needs to be pumped, our experts will be happy to measure the levels and document them for you as an easy, mess-free option. We’ll also take the time to explain how you can monitor your septic tank levels on your own, so you can avoid the need for costly repairs in the future.
Increased Water Bills
A septic tank is an underground chamber through which domestic wastewater flows for basic treatment. The process removes most solids from the wastewater, allowing them to settle in the bottom as a sludge layer and rise to the top of the tank as a scum layer.
Anaerobic bacteria work in the septic tank to break down organic matter and reduce the volume of waste. Over time, however, the sludge and scum layers can build up. These buildups can lead to a number of problems, including slow drains and foul odors. In some cases, the septic tank can even overflow.
When this happens, the solids in the septic tank can enter the drain field and restrict or even block wastewater flow to the home. Wastewater can also back up into the drains and toilets, causing a foul odor that is hard to get rid of.
The best way to avoid these issues is by getting your septic tank pumped on schedule. A professional will come out and perform a visual inspection of your septic tank to ensure it’s ready for pumping. They’ll then use specialized equipment to remove the waste and dispose of it safely.
While you can’t stop your septic tank from needing to be pumped out, you can prevent expensive repairs by staying on schedule with pumping. Sticking to a pumping schedule will reduce the amount of waste that needs to be removed, which lowers the cost per pump. On the other hand, waiting until the tank is overfilled is a recipe for a costly visit from the plumber. Spills, clogs and other problems are more likely to occur when too much time passes between pumping sessions.
Another way to help keep your septic system working properly is by only flushing human waste and toilet paper. Other items, like feminine products and wipes, should be thrown in the garbage instead of the toilet. Also, make sure you’re using septic-safe toilet paper that can break down in the tank.
Damaged Drain Field
When solid waste accumulates in your septic tank, it reduces the amount of wastewater that can enter the drain field. Over time, this may cause the septic system to fail, leading to sewage backups in your home and toxic sewage seeping into groundwater supplies and the environment. Regular septic tank pumping removes the accumulated solids, prevents overflow and minimizes the risk of septic system failure.
Some signs that you need septic tank pumping include:
A foul smell from toilets or sinks that won’t go away. Gurgling sounds in your pipes. Standing water or damp spots near your septic tank or drainfield. Grass that is lush and greener than other nearby areas of your yard.
The type of waste that goes into your septic tank will determine how often it needs to be pumped. The more solids in the wastewater stream, the faster the septic tank will fill up and need to be pumped.
To minimize the rate at which solids build up in your septic tank, you should be careful what you put into your drains, toilets and sinks. Avoid putting in feces, slowly biodegradable organic solids like food scraps and toilet paper, and non-biodegradable solids such as plastic, kitty litter and other items that don’t break down.
Another way to protect your septic system from failure is to map out the location of your septic tank and other components. This will help you avoid damaging them while doing yard work or when you have heavy vehicles or equipment on your property. It also makes it easier for septic service professionals to locate and uncover your tank and inspection ports when you need them pumped.
It’s important to have your septic tank pumped regularly to avoid expensive repair costs, maintain your property value and ensure the health and safety of you, your family and pets. If you’re not sure how often your septic tank should be pumped, contact a local professional. They can inspect your septic tank and recommend a schedule based on your home’s usage, tank size and septic system type.
