Septic tanks are very long-lasting. A septic system might still be completely functional after nearly half a century. You could still need a septic tank service to help you with the related maintenance, however. Reading about septic tank systems can make you better at fine-tuning these structures. Still, assistance from a septic company might absolutely become essential for you in the near or far future.
The advantages of septic tank setups are extensive. Lots of home buyers want homes that have complete septic tanks for a reason. Even building the house in question in that location may not have been possible without a full septic system. People who don’t want to live very close to cities or large towns often pick homes that have these septic tank structures.
That said, the tanks won’t maintain themselves. Customers are responsible for making sure that the septic tanks are still performing effectively. It takes work, which is why professionals from septic services can be so helpful. The septic devices are generally cost-effective in the long run, even when you take the septic maintenance expenses into account. However, regularly neglecting those procedures will only add to the system costs and the difficulties involved.
The concept of indoor plumbing dates back to the ancient Romans, who used early models of lead-coated pipes to carry water around. This is where the modern term “plumbing” comes from, as lead’s atomic symbol is Pb. Today’s plumbing systems are quite advanced and powerful compared to anything that the Romans had, and a house may be either connected to a public utility, or use a septic tank. Septic systems are self-contained water disposal arrays, and septic tank treatment is essential for keeping those tanks running smoothly. A septic tank service can be called upon to help, and these septic tank services can pump out the tank’s sludge, repair the filter screen, or even replace the entire thing. A homeowner can take care that they don’t clog or overload their septic system, and then a septic tank service can take care of the rest. Nearly 25% of American homes use septic systems, so there is plenty of work for those septic tank services.
How a Septic System Works
For those unfamiliar with septic tank systems, the process starts with the house flushing all dirty, used water through pipes and to an underground septic tank. These tanks vary in total gallon volume, but they are all quite large and can hold a lot. In here, bacteria colonies will break down solid waste in the water, and particles will settle at the tank’s bottom to form a sludge. Meanwhile, fats and oils will float on the top, leaving relatively clean water in between. It may be noted that the sludge has no way to leave the tank on its own.
After two or three days of this, the water will be flushed through a filter screen and pass deeper into the system, getting cleaner as it goes through that filter. Now, the water will flow through a series of pipes just under the ground, and nozzles and holes allow the water to flow right out. This water passes through loose gravel and soil, and more bacteria cultures help filter the water further. This allows clean water to re-enter the natural water cycle in the drainage field, and the septic system is complete.
Taking Care of the Septic System
Like any other set of hardware, a septic system should be taken care of, and homeowners may regularly call upon septic tank service to help out. For one thing, homeowners are discouraged from flushing solid items such as tobacco products, baby diapers, or moisturized hand wipes away, since these solid items won’t break down and will clog the system. Meanwhile, a homeowner can use a measuring stick called a “sludge judge” to measure how deep the sludge layer has become in the septic tank. If the tank is one third to half full, septic tank services may be called upon.
Every few years, a septic tank service may be brought on the scene to clear out all the sludge built up inside a septic tank. These professionals will excavate the septic tank, open a hatch, and use a powerful pump mounted on their truck to draw out all sludge in the tank, then bury it again. But if the septic tank is very old, or if the home has expanded and creates more waste water than before, the homeowner can have it replaced. Professional crews can be brought over, who will totally dig up and remove the old septic tank, then install a new one of the desired size.
The filter screen between the tank and pipes may get clogged or damaged, blocking flow. But it shouldn’t simply be removed, or too-dirty water can get deeper into the system. Instead, the owner may clean off, repair, or even replace that filter to keep the system in good condition. And if the pipes deeper in the system have become caked with grime, their water flow may be restricted, compromising the system. In this case, crews can be hired to unearth those pipes, take them apart, and blast them with pressurized water to clean off all grime found inside. Finally, it should be noted that no vehicles should be allowed to drive across the drainage field, because the vehicle’s weight will compress the gravel and rocks, blocking the natural filtration system found there.
