A septic tank is essential to any home’s infrastructure because it helps ensure safe wastewater disposal. In this article, you’ll find out how to maintain your septic tank, so it serves you for decades.
But first…
What Is A Septic Tank?
A septic tank is a watertight underground system that treats wastewater discharged by households or commercial centers. They’re most common in areas that don’t have a centralized sewerage system. For some people, rainwater from the drainpipes, blackwater from flushing the loo, and greywater from sinks go into a central sewerage system where it gets treated.
Some homes are in remote areas far from the central sewer or are not connected to the main sewer system for one reason or the other. These homes need a septic tank to handle their liquid waste to prevent health and environmental hazards that could arise from improper wastewater disposal. These tanks are usually made of plastic, fiberglass, or concrete (found in older buildings) and buried underground with accessibility.
It usually has two chambers with an inlet pipe at one end and an outlet pipe at the other end.
The wastewater enters through the chamber with the inlet pipe. Then the solids settle at the bottom to form sludge while grease and oils float at the surface. The cleaner water in the middle is fed into the second chamber, where a similar process occurs before the clean water is finally discharged safely into a soakaway or drainage field. The bacteria in the tank digest the remnant sewage to create room for the next cycle. But there is still a gradual build-up of sludge over the years which will require evacuation to ensure the septic tank works efficiently.
Failure to remove waste and empty your septic tank periodically could lead to health and environmental hazards such as foul odor in the air and outbreak of diseases. When it comes to septic tank services, it is advised to get in touch with industry-leading professionals to ensure that your wastewater is disposed of safely.
Problems Associated With Poor Septic Tank Maintenance
Mold Growth
Molds thrive in damp and dark areas. And septic tanks are a perfect spot for the growth of molds and mildew, especially after flooding or any other water-related damage. Here is a possible sentence on septic tank cleaning mold: Septic tank cleaning mold is a common problem that can be prevented by using natural or septic-safe products, such as vinegar, baking soda, or hydrogen peroxide, to disinfect and deodorize the toilet and tank.
Health Hazards
Wastewater and sewage can be severe as breeding sites for disease-causing microorganisms. This can lead to an outbreak of diseases like cholera, dysentery, typhoid, etc. Moreover, a poisonous gas -Hydrogen Sulphide, will be released from the tank if left unclean for a long.
Failing Taps
When the line between the sewer pipe and the septic tank is connected tightly, backflow occurs into the sewer line, which causes the drain field to be flooded with wastewater.
See, septic and cesspit tanks are your primary defense system against contaminants. And like any machinery, they need to be well maintained for them to work well. And septic tank emptying is a crucial maintenance practice if you don’t want to wake up to a septic tank spilling its contents into the surroundings.
How Often Should You Empty Your Septic Tank?
There’s no definite answer to this question.
It depends on size, frequency of use, building type, and household size. For instance, septic tanks of commercial centers will need frequent emptying because of the volume of wastewater they produce and the difficulty in controlling items disposed into drains.
However, it’s recommended you empty your septic tank every 3 to 5 years. This way, blockages, odors, and spills are kept at bay.
