You've heard that your septic tank should be pumped out on a regular basis,
but if you're like many homeowners, you may be a bit fuzzy on the details.
There's a lot more to septic maintenance than just removing sewage from the
tank. Here are five parts of the system that need professional maintenance and
why.
Your septic tank comes with two baffles, which need to be inspected on a
regular basis. That's because baffles are prone to not only blockages but also
erosion and crumbling (if they're made of concrete) or corrosion (if they're
made of metal). The gases inside the septic tank can react with the concrete
and cause it to weaken and crumble away.
If the outlet baffle crumbles, solids from the tank can make their way out
to the leach field and cause all kinds of problems. If the inlet baffle is
damaged, on the other hand, incoming wastewater can cause splashing and reduce
the efficacy of the separation process that occurs in the tank. And a damaged
baffle can even cause a clog.
A septic filter may not be present in every septic system, especially if
your system is older. But if you don't have one, you should definitely get one;
it can prolong the life of your leach field, which can cost tens of thousands
of dollars to replace. Once it's in place, the filter needs to be checked and
cleaned regularly.
Your septic maintenance professional can check and clean the filter for you
at each pumping visit, and make sure it hasn't become damaged.
Pumping the tank is the aspect of septic maintenance that you typically hear
about most often. It may seem like septic companies are always urging you to
have your tank pumped, but that's for a very good reason. Many homeowners
rarely (or worse, never) have their tanks pumped out, which can lead to
catastrophic problems.
If the tank is overfilled with solid waste, some solid waste and scum will
eventually make its way to the leach field and start clogging things up. It can
also tip the balance in the leach field in favor of anaerobic bacteria, keeping
the leach field from functioning properly.
Sometimes, homeowners will have their tank pumped because the system is
starting to act up. But often by this time the leach field is overloaded and
extensive repairs are needed. So don't expect a septic pump-out to solve
existing problems. It's meant as a preventive measure to keep a healthy septic
system healthy.
Your sewer line may not need to be pumped out like your septic tank, but it
does deserve regular video line inspections and cleanings. Inspections can
catch problems such as tree roots in the lines or partial clogs, so your septic
contractors can solve these problems before they cause sewage backups into your
home.
Many homeowners simply wait until an emergency arises and then have their
drains and sewer line inspected, but a more proactive approach could save you
money in the long run. Experts may vary on their recommendations, but a common
recommendation is to have your sewer line inspected and/or cleaned out every one
to two years.
These are just four elements of your septic system that can benefit from
regular servicing. You don't need to have separate maintenance visits for each
element, though. You can simply schedule a septic pump-out and inspection and
ask for a video line inspection at the same time or another time that fits your
schedule.
If you live in the Dothan area, we'd love to help you with any septic system
services you require. For more information on how we can help you and your
septic system, get in touch with Allen Turner Septic Tank Service
now. We can deliver on not only cleaning and maintenance but also any repairs
your septic system and sewer line might need.
