Septic Tank Care
Septic systems are still in use today among regions where a connection to the main sewerage cannot be established. It has been reported that at least a quarter of US population is dependent on these systems that basically make use of a septic tank for treating human waste. As a sewage treatment system, it has to be placed underground where it can handle the wastewater all the way through the drain field. And just like any other mechanisms, a regular septic tank care is required to ensure the efficiency of this system.
Over the time, the septic tank might become full and inefficient unless checked out for drainage problems. Understanding the whole process that takes place in this sewerage system will give you the idea about the possibilities of septic tank malfunction. First, the wastewater enters the tank through an inlet pipe. Solid wastes are settled at the bottom of the tank while the water flows above. When another surge of wastewater comes in, the tank releases the content that has been there into the drain field. However, due to cloggings around the pipes, the whole process of sewage treatment is affected. The tank may refuse to hold incoming wastewater and the excess gush of water into the drain field might give way to its insanitary overflow. Periodic septic tank care and maintenance is therefore needed to prevent this thing from happening.
Guidelines for septic tank care
The guidelines for septic tank care may vary depending on the size of the system, as well as the amount of waste that it accumulates. Still, the basics of maintenance work are usually the same for all septic systems. Here is a list of tips that one should consider for septic tank care:
- Pump Out the Tank – The sludge layer that the tank accumulates can get too much over the time, causing the tank to malfunction due to overload. Hence, it is important to get rid of these solid wastes at least once every three years. Hire a professional sanitary engineer or a local septic pumper to get this task done.
- Do not Dispose Garbage Unto the Septic Tank – Solid wastes differ from the garbage in a sense that they can be broken down by the bacteria located inside the tank. Garbages are simply the stuffs that you carelessly drop into the drainage system. These can be cigarettes butts, diapers, and other toiletries. These stuffs can cause cloggings around the pipes since they often refuse to settle down at the bottom of the tank. They cannot be treated so they are left to float inside the tank.
- Conserve Water – Not only it will lessen your monthly bill, but also it will prevent the septic tank from accumulating too much wastewater. Controlling the amount of water that goes through the drainpipes is perhaps the easiest technique in septic tank care.
- Avoid Draining Oil along with Wastewater – Oil or grease that goes with wastewater can cause clogs along the drainpipes. The scum layer that floats above the wastewater should not be very thick in order for the tank to work properly. For a better septic tank care, separate the disposal of grease and wastewater. Too much oil will only plug the system because it does not dissolve with wastewater. All in all Septic Tank Care is not so complicated.