Septic Tank Pumping – How To Minimize The Cost

Regular septic tank pumping can help households who rely on the efficient operation of their septic system, especially in rural areas where it is the most common form of waste water treatment system in use. Although the septic system is designed to largely be a stand-alone system, it requires occasional septic tank pumping to remain effective. Septic refers to the process of decomposition by anaerobic bacteria, which acts to break down waste. This is accomplished in the septic tank where waste enters through an inlet pipe from the home. Within the tank, solids settle to the bottom to form sludge while lighter wastes floats on top of the liquid in the scum layer. The liquid waste leaves the tank through an outlet pipe and continues to the absorption field, also called the leach field, where an entrenchment of piping discharges excess water into the ground soil through multiple drainage holes.

Why you may need septic tank pumping

Inefficiencies in the septic tank can lead to total system failure. Under optimal conditions, up to three years’ build-up of sludge may accumulate before adversely affecting the system which may require septic tank pumping. This greatly depends on the design of the tank, the number of household occupants, the amount of solid waste produced and the soil conditions. Bacterial decomposition is unable to completely eliminate solid waste and typically reduces it only up to 50 percent. The leftover solids begin to build an increasing amount of sludge that eventually leaves incoming wastes insufficient space to settle and, therefore, begin to flow out of the tank with the liquid. As the sludge level continues to rise, more solids travel out of the tank and clog the absorption field system. Once this occurs, the inability to process incoming waste leads to sewage backup in the home. At this stage, it is often too late for septic tank pumping alone to completely clear the system and a major renovation of the absorption field, costing thousands of dollars, may be required.

Septic System Maintenance—The Septic Tank Pumping Contractor

As the old adage goes, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Proper maintenance prevents septic system failure by removing the sludge layer before irreversible problems begin. Septic tank cleaning and inspection is the most effective method of preventative maintenance and should be performed by a qualified septic tank pumping contractor to prevent damage. Septic tank pumping should be followed by an inspection of the tank components for deterioration and damage, which can then be repaired. Some homeowners elect alternatives, such as sludge reducing additives, bacterial feeds, and bacterial starters instead of conventional pumping. These methods do not replace the need for septic tank pumping and will likely lead to septic system failure. Septic tank pumping frequency also depends on several other variables:

Septic tank capacity, waste water volume as determined by the number of residents, and the amount of solids in the waste water.

Septic tank Pumping, system and maintenance — The Homeowner

There are steps the homeowner can take to help ensure a healthy septic system and avoid septic tank pumping cost:

-Avoid the use of garbage disposals, which increase solid wastes.
-Minimize water use when possible to prevent exceeding the tank’s capacity.
-Retrofit toilets with water-conserving features, such as dual flush.
-Fill the dishwasher completely before beginning the wash cycle.
-Minimize surface water on the absorption field by redirecting gutter downspouts.
-Don’t overuse harsh chemicals including solvents, drain cleaners, paints and disinfectants.
-Don’t dispose of non-biodegradable items such as cigarette butts and baby wipes.
-Keep the absorption field clear of trees and shrubs, which may have damaging root systems.
-Avoid heavy items, such as vehicles, above the absorption field.
-Ensure periodic septic tank pumping to remove sludge accumulation.