How Often to Pump Septic Tanks
A septic system in abject disrepair goes beyond the bad smells in your home. Depending on the magnitude of the problem, a malfunctioning sewer system can release toxic wastewater and contaminate local waterways. Such an incidence may lower your property value and potentially have costly legal ramifications.
Regularly pumping your septic tank is vital to ensure the septic system is working properly. Keep reading to learn how often your septic tank needs to be pumped and how Herrmann Services can help.
How to Care for Your Septic System – Inspect and Pump
Septic system upkeep is not complex or as expensive as most property owners believe. When inspections and mechanical pumping of a septic tank are done periodically, you can avoid costly repairs and subsequent installation. That said, here are the proactive measures you can take to ensure your sewer system operates efficiently:
- Avoid pumping too often. A septic tank uses bacteria from your home’s organic waste material to naturally break down effluent. This process takes 1– 3 weeks, and leaving the septic tank alone is advisable until it returns to healthy bacteria levels.
- If you don’t have a sludge level measuring stick to find out if your septic tank is full, Herrmann Services can help you determine your home wastewater fill-up thresholds.
- The bacteria (anaerobic) inside your sewage system play a pivotal role in breaking down incoming waste matter. It’s crucial to avoid flushing down harsh chemicals into the septic tank, as doing so decreases the anaerobic bacteria population. Consequently, your tank will begin to fill up much quicker without the help of bacterial action that breaks down solid waste.
- Always direct downspouts, swimming pool, and hot tub water into the yard instead of the drainage system, as it can put undue stress on the septic tank pipes.
- Consider using high-efficiency plumbing to reduce the water overuse that causes the septic tank to fill too fast.
If a septic tank is not pumped as scheduled, wastewater may find its way back to your plumbing which can be an unnecessary inconvenience. Even if sewage backup isn’t evident, the pungent sewer odor will be hard to miss, not to mention the health and safety hazards waiting to happen. So, if you have yet to call the septic system technicians at Herrmann Services to pump your tank, there’s no better time than now.
How to Know When Your Septic Tank is Full
A septic tank installation is vital if you live in an area without a centralized sewer system, as it holds wastewater and uses environmentally-safe methods to treat it underground. As your septic system fills up daily, it must be pumped. Just like regular property inspections and repairs, pumping is an integral part of septic tank maintenance that requires the expertise of the Herrmann Services team.
The goal is to clear your system of toxic sewer waste in a safe and sanitary way to make more room and extend your tank’s lifespan. Before emptying your underground wastewater system, your local pumping contractor will ask: “how often do you pump septic tanks?” If, like most new homeowners, you’re unfamiliar with biological decomposition and drainage guidelines, a septic system must be pumped every 2– 5 years.
The most common tell-tale signs of a full septic tank that requires immediate pumping include;
- A clogged-up drain or murky backup wastewater causes slow-draining bathtubs, toilets, and sinks.
- Stagnant or pooling water in your yard occurs when solid waste particles clog drain field pipes.
- High levels of concentrated nitrate leach into the soil due to a backup of solid waste matter escaping around the drain field.
- Raw sewage smell, particularly near your septic tank, is a clear sign of a full sewer system.
Although a septic tank is a watertight container buried underground, the system can malfunction in the right conditions, resulting in seepage. For instance, debris can accumulate and block the in-built filters over time. Additionally, intrusive tree roots closest to your tank can threaten a septic tank’s pipe system. Aggressive-growing roots may damage drain pipes, resulting in pressure buildup or blockages that restrict the smooth flow of wastewater.
Talk to the Experts at Herrmann Services About Septic Tanks Needs
If you have any questions or concerns about your septic tank, it is highly recommended that you reach out to the experts at Herrmann Services. As a licensed septic tank service company, they have the appropriate equipment and expertise to pump and safely dispose of sewer waste. Scheduling septic pumping sessions at the recommended time with Herrmann Services increases the overall efficiency of your system and helps prevent backup problems, leaky pipes, slow draining, clogging, foul odors, and other numerous plumbing issues.
In addition to providing top-quality septic tank pumping services, Herrmann Services also offers septic tank inspections and preventative maintenance advice to keep your sewage system running smoothly. Don’t hesitate to contact us to schedule an appointment with the experts at Herrmann Services today. Feel confident knowing you are taking the proper steps to maintain and care for your septic system.