MAINTENANCE

Maintenance of an Onsite Sewage Treatment system is relative to the type of system in use. The common maintenance task shared by all systems is pumping of the septic chamber or chambers. This is typically done every three years but is very dependent upon household usage. This procedure involves gaining access to the septic tank for pumping and cleaning of solid matter.

After a septic tank is pumped there is a period lasting one to three months where the full effectiveness diminishes. This is due to a loss of the anaerobic community that had established itself in the tank. Make sure that you really do need your tank pumped by checking your sludge and mat depths prior to scheduling. Given low organic matter loading of a septic tank, the pumping cycle could extend out ten years or more.

Operational checks of your system should be performed at least every three years. Just as any machinery, regular maintenance and system checks are vital to longevity. The more complex your system is, the more often operational checks should be performed. More and more systems these days have monitoring required but monitoring alone is not a full operational check.

 

Septic Tank Maintenance

Septic Tank Cleaning and Inspection of Your Septic System

Our Septic Technician will:

1. Pump your septic tank clear of all sludge and build up!
2. Inspect the inlet and outlet baffles in the tank
3. Inspect the condition of your tank
4. Inspect your weeping bed for noticeable problems
5. Provide you with the complimentary booklet "Care and Feeding of Your Septic System"
6. Inform you of how often your tank and system should be pumped and inspected, enter this information into our computer, and notify you when the next pumping is due!

Things You Should Know About Your Septic System

Your septic system is an on-site treatment and disposal system buried in the ground. A septic system consists of a septic tank and a soil absorption area.

The purpose of a septic tank is to receive household wastes such as laundry, bath water, body wastes, etc. Solids settle to the bottom and grease rises to the top. The liquid passes into a leaching system. Bacterial action decomposes part of the solids and grease. Inorganic and hard to decompose material remains and gradually fill the tank until the solids pass into and plug the leaching system.


By cleaning the septic tank regularly (every two to three years) and by being careful about what is put into it, a septic system will work well for many years.

Solid material overflowing into the absorption area (weeping field) should be avoided at all costs. When solids overflow, they clog the soil pores and cause septic systems to fail. Two main factors cause solid material to build up and overflow:

Bacteria must be present in the septic tank to digest the organic solids. Normally bacteria is present from household waste, unless harm is done to the bacteria from harsh home care products that destroy them. There is only one additive that we know of, that when added just once a month can replenish the bacteria in your septic system. It is called Bio-Clean. It contains millions of good bacteria, which are necessary for your septic system's health.

An overabundance of commonly used home care products will kill bacteria necessary for proper septic tank operation. This includes toilet cleaners, detergents and bleach. NEVER dispose of acids, polishes, caustic drain cleaners, oil, paint, diapers, feminine products etc., in your septic system.