| Before I worked for a septic tank business, I had | | | | system, if there is a washer emptying into the tank, |
| absolutely no clue what a septic tank was other than | | | | and whether there has been a lot of rain in the area |
| it was a large tank in the ground for human waste. | | | | in the last year or so. For a system that has 1 to 2 |
| Now after, 7 years I have become knowledgeable on | | | | people about 5 years will suffice; if there are more |
| the importance of keeping a septic tank cleaned out | | | | people consider anywhere from 3 to 4 years. If |
| on a regular basis. Pretty much everyday or so, I | | | | there is a washer on the system and is used quite |
| speak to people who know next to nothing about | | | | about 60% of water comes from that source alone. |
| septic tank cleaning or pump outs, who ask the same | | | | Also the use of detergent and bleach tend to break |
| questions that I once did. Fortunately, I now know | | | | down the solid material in the tank at a higher rate |
| that if a tank is not cleaned every so often, it can | | | | thus causing the increase of a more watery tank. |
| lead to unnecessary expenses for the homeowner. | | | | Heavy rains can cause the saturation of the ground |
| By writing this, I hope I can pass on what I have | | | | and the drain field area thus slowing the ability of the |
| learned and save an unsuspecting homeowner a | | | | drain field to remove the excess water out of the |
| rather large expense. | | | | septic tank. Due to these factors 3-5 years is the |
| The purpose of cleaning a septic tank is to keep the | | | | proper time between cleanings. |
| sludge from entering the field lines or drain field. Also, | | | | Sometimes when a tank is starting to get full you |
| cleaning will keep the septic waste from returning to | | | | may notice signs such as the slow emptying of the |
| the house or filtering out onto the surface near or on | | | | toilet and drains, there may be gurgling sounds in the |
| the septic tank. Proper maintenance prevents smell | | | | toilet or worse yet, the toilets and drains back up. |
| and toxic material from contaminating the surrounding | | | | Other times, there may be standing water and low |
| areas often used by humans and animals. Also, | | | | wet, mushy spots over or around the septic tank |
| seepage from a leaking tank can cause damage to | | | | itself. Another indicator is if there is excessive green |
| the lawn. | | | | grass in the area of the tank or drain field this could |
| Simply put, a septic tank is just a holding tank for the | | | | indicate the tank is in need of cleaning. |
| household water and waste of a home or business. It | | | | Although the main purpose of cleaning the tank is to |
| is self contained with an outlet from the house for | | | | keep the sludge out of the drain field, cleaning will |
| the water and waste to enter the tank and an outlet | | | | keep the sludge from returning to house that could |
| to move the excess waste water to the drain field | | | | cause backup and clogs within the main line. Both of |
| system. The solids to sink to the bottom of the tank. | | | | these situations can be costly expenses that can be |
| Each outlet is on either end of the rectangular tank. | | | | avoided by having a maintenance plan in place. Drain |
| Usually there are two to three lids on a septic tank, | | | | fields can run $1800 to $8000 depending on the type |
| or it may have a manhole-type lid on the top for the | | | | of system needed and have a lifespan of 15 to 40 |
| entrance. Quite often the tank is buried under the | | | | years. It is one of the worse things for a |
| ground from a few inches to a couple of feet. Most | | | | homeowner to have to hear that they are are going |
| tanks are either 1000 or 1500 gallon tanks. | | | | to need a new drain field system on a relatively new |
| To determine how often a tank should be cleaned | | | | system when a septic cleaning plan would have kept |
| several factors are taken into consideration. Those | | | | the septic drain field working properly in the first |
| factors include how many people are using the | | | | place. |