The septic tank is a very important part of an in-ground sewage system. It requires cleaning and maintenance in order to avoid any health risks for the users, community and the environment as a whole. This system requires pumping especially when the waste that collects in the tank reaches its capacity. In fact, the tank should be pumped out if the average septage is within 30 to 50 percent of the total volume. Doing this is very essential in order to prevent backflow and blockage.
Therefore, it is very important to learn about and understand the importance of cleaning a septic tank with septic trucks for sale in order to maintain optimum performance of the entire system.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Adequate maintenance of the septic system involves inspection, vacuuming, clean-out and treating the tank at regular intervals. All of these activities are very important and should not be neglected or taken for granted; such work should be performed by experts who have the knowledge and understanding of the correct cleaning procedures. Looking for a qualified contractor to service the system will ensure that all required steps are done properly. While a maintenance schedule may vary from one household to another since septic system usage does vary; this step is part of an essential strategy to keep the tank in good condition.
Cleaning Guideline
It is important for any septic system owner to learn about proper system cleaning to make sure that the required steps are correctly followed by contractors.
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Prior Inspection – Before pumping, the manhole cover should be located and removed, the system inspected and the septage measured. Pipes and other critical mechanisms must be checked as well as the drain field to be sure that the effluent is leaching properly. An effluent level just below the outlet tee indicates a leakage while an effluent level above the outlet pipe indicates a problem.
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Vacuum Truck Preparation – Prior to starting the pumping, the vacuum truck should be readied by attaching the right suction line and pipe; it should also be confirmed that accurate pressure will be used to remove waste from the tank. The vacuum line is then laid out from the truck to the manhole and the line is connected to the vacuum equipment to prepare for the vacuuming procedure.
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Tank Preparation – In addition, the scum and sludge that has settled at the bottom of the tank should be broken up to promote proper removal of the contents. Once everything is ready, suctioning of the septage thoroughly with the aid of a septic spoon through the manhole can begin.
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Final Inspection – After complete evacuation of any material, the empty system should be inspected for signs of structural damage; any leakage, weep-hole, cracks and damaged baffles should also be noted at this time.
Reducing Pump-Outs
There are several ways to decrease the number of times that pumping is needed for a common septic system. These are effective and precautionary measures to save time, money and energy.
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Non-Dissolvable Objects – Don’t flush sanitary products, diapers, paper towels, cigarette butts, and even tissue papers down the toilet; this action can prevent obstructing and harming the tank that can lead to more frequent vacuuming.
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Kitchen Waste – Don’t dispose of kitchen garbage through the sink such as coffee grounds, grease, fat, oil, and any food waste.
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Conserve Water Usage – Reduce water usage by repairing leaky faucets and toilets. Also do not leave water running while tooth brushing or shaving. Decreasing water usage reduces waste water flowing into the tank.
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Chemicals – Avoid using chemicals or additives to prevent any problems and/or expensive repairs in the future.
Individual septic systems have their own filling capacity. Once this limitation is reached or surpassed, there will most likely be problems because the waste can’t be discharged properly. This is the reason why cleaning and maintenance is necessary to prevent potential septic issues. Cleaning a system once a year is more cost effective and sensible in the long run.
The average septic system requires cleaning and vacuuming once every one to three years depending on usage. Pumping the tanks is very dangerous due to noxious gases, so it is imperative to contact the nearest service contractor to handle such a task. Knowing and understanding the importance of cleaning a septic system, using septic trucks for sale, is very important in avoiding future problems – so don’t forget to do this task!
