What You Need To Know About Pumping The Septic Tank On Your Property
Using a septic system instead of a sewer system is standard practice for landowners who are too remote to tie into the municipal sewer system without spending much money. Septic system pumping and maintenance are vital to system performance, so taking the time to learn when and why the tank needs pumping should be a priority.
When To Pump
Your septic system requires pumping to clean out the sludge that develops in the bottom of the tank. Solids that pass into the tank sink to the bottom and break down through an anaerobic process, but some material settles in the tank and stays.
The only way to remove the sludge is through manual pumping with a truck that can take the material away and dispose of it properly. A properly functioning tank and septic system can go several years between cleanings, but if the tank is too small for the number of people living in the home, the wastewater and sewage flowing in can overwhelm the system.
Slow drains in the entire house, gurgling sounds in the system, and water leaking from the tank onto your lawn are indications that the system needs pumping. If you suspect it is time for septic system pumping but are unsure, you can have the septic cleaning service check the tank for you and let you know if it is filling up or if there is something else wrong that needs addressing.
It is crucial that you know the location of the septic tank, how to find the cover, and what to do if you notice an odor or water seeping out of the ground in that area. You may want to consider adding an alarm to the tank that will alert you if it is full so you can address the problem right away.
Adding To The Load
When buying a small house with a septic system, it is crucial to check the tank and drain field size. When installing the septic system, the contractor will calculate the right size tank for the home based on the number of bedrooms and bathrooms.
When the system is correctly sized, septic system pumping is necessary once every couple of years. However, if you add-on to the home without upgrading the septic, you could create a problem with additional bathrooms, more drains, and more people living in the space.
Buying a small home and expanding it to a larger one is fine, but plan to have a septic system pumping service clean the tank and inspect the system to determine if it needs an upgrade. In some cases, you can replace the septic tank and use the existing drainfield, but if you need to move the tank location, the drain field often needs relocating to ensure it is near the tank.
