Your septic tank plays a crucial role in the proper disposal and treatment of wastewater from your kitchen and bathrooms. However, septic tanks do require maintenance and cleaning periodically. Over time, sludge and scum start building up in the tank. An excess amount of either of these substances would stop the septic tank from functioning as intended.
Everything you need to know about septic tank cleaning
keep your septic tank fully functional, you need to arrange for cleaning at regular intervals or when it starts filling up. Here are some key things to keep in mind about septic tank cleaning:
- Septic tank cleaning vs. septic tank pumping
Homeowners often confuse septic tank cleaning and pumping as the same thing and use the terms interchangeably. In reality, however, these two differ in terms of effectiveness. Septic tank pumping only involves pumping out the liquid effluent. On the other hand, cleaning is more thorough. In this case, professionals would also clean out the solid waste settling at the bottom, thus emptying the tank.
- How often do you need to clean your septic tank?
Assuming that your septic tank is of the right size for your home, cleaning it once every two to three years should be enough. However, this frequency may vary depending on usage and other factors. If you are unsure, it would be a good idea to schedule a professional septic tank inspection. Professionals would check out the sludge and scum levels in the tank and let you know if you need to have it cleaned.
- Can you clean your septic tank yourself?
While it isn’t impossible to clean your septic tank by yourself, it is not advisable at all. The lack of knowledge and experience can prevent you from cleaning all the waste properly. Moreover, you could potentially damage the septic tank, leading to expensive repairs or replacements. Hiring a professional would be far better than trying any DIY method.
- Knowing if your septic tank needs immediate cleaning
In case you fail to clean your septic tank on time, or it simply fills up faster than usual, you may find yourself having to schedule an immediate cleaning. Certain warning signs can help you know when it is time to get your septic tank cleaned. For instance, the area over the drain field would start having greener grass, you would smell bad odors and your home might develop a slow drainage problem. In this case, hire a professional at the soonest to prevent the issue from worsening.
- Do not use random cleaning products
It would be an unwise idea to use any drain cleaning products you find in the stores on your septic system. Do bear in mind that bacteria play a key role in the functioning of the septic tank, by breaking down waste. Cleaning products that are too harsh or contain anti-bacterial ingredients can kill off the bacteria, causing your septic tank to fill up very fast. Professionals always use septic-safe products while cleaning a septic tank.
How to choose the right septic tank cleaning company?
You might want to take some time to consider your options, rather than hiring the first septic tank company you find. After all, the effectiveness of their job depends largely on their experience, equipment, and reliability. If the team you hire fails to clean your septic tank properly, you would need to arrange for septic tank cleaning again soon. Make sure that the company you are hiring is a reputed one, with a good track record. A leading septic tank cleaning company would provide you with reliable services at reasonable costs.
