As a homeowner, it’s important to understand the vital role that your septic system plays in managing household wastewater. Your septic system is responsible for treating and disposing of all the water that flows from toilets, sinks, showers, and other household plumbing fixtures.
Neglecting the maintenance of your septic system leads to a range of problems like foul odors, backups, and costly repairs. Proper care and regular maintenance of your septic system is essential to ensure that it operates efficiently, keeping your home’s water supply clean and safe while protecting the environment.
How Your Septic System Works
Your home septic system is a self-contained wastewater treatment system that manages water generated from your household plumbing. The system typically consists of a septic tank and a drain field.
Wastewater enters your septic tank from the house through a main sewer line. Inside the septic tank, solids and liquids are separated. Heavy solids sink to the bottom and form a layer of sludge while lighter materials such as grease and oil float to the top and form a layer of scum. Anything that is not considered a solid or sludge is called effluent, the rest of the liquid in the septic tank.
Effluent is filtered out of the septic tank and into the drain field through a series of perforated pipes buried in gravel-filled trenches. As it enters the drain field, it is slowly released into the soil where it’s naturally filtered and treated by the soil and microorganisms present in the soil. Treated wastewater coming from the leach field eventually re-enters your groundwater system.
As the effluent is removed from the septic tank, the resulting solids and scum form more compacted layers of waste that will eventually have to be removed in order for your septic system to keep working as it should.
Why Septic System Pumping Is Necessary
As the layers of solids and sludge settle in the bottom and float in the top of the septic tank, they build up to the point where they reduce the tank’s capacity to hold wastewater. As the tank fills up, effluent does not have enough time to separate and settle before leaving the tank, resulting in the discharge of untreated water into the drain field. Untreated wastewater leads to clogs, backups, and costly damage to your septic system.
Pumping is necessary to keep your septic system optimized and working as it should. This process ensures that wastewater and treated water are kept separate, and your home water supply remains safe for you and your family to use.
The Pumping Process
Septic system pumping is typically performed by a licensed professional who uses a large vacuum truck to remove solids and scum from the septic tank. During a pumping session, your septic professional will locate your septic tank and uncover the access port. A hose is then connected from the vacuum truck to the access port of the septic tank; a powerful vacuum is then used to suction out accumulated solids and scum from your septic tank.
After your tank has been emptied, your technician will then inspect it for signs of damage, wear, and tear. Any deficiencies will then be addressed and repaired before the septic professional refills the tank with clean water to ensure proper settling of solids and effluent separation.
How Often Should a Septic Tank Be Pumped?
The frequency of septic tank pumping depends on a number of factors. Larger septic tanks can hold more wastewater and solids; they will not require pumping as frequently as smaller tanks.
The number of people living in your household is also a factor in how frequently your tank should be pumped. Larger families tend to use more water for daily chores, showers, cooking, and cleaning; this larger volume of water will need to be treated and addressed more frequently to keep clean water supplies safe.
Certain factors, like the use of the garbage disposal and flushing of non-biodegradable materials down the toilet, can increase the amount of solid waste in the tank requiring more frequent pumping. If your system is older or hasn’t been upgraded and serviced in a while, making that first inspection and pumping appointment will be especially important to preserve the integrity of your septic system.
Professional Septic System Recommendations
Professional septic system recommendations for pumping septic tanks include:
- Regular pumping
- An inspection
- Proper disposal
- Water conservation
- Proper use
Septic experts recommend that your tank should be pumped every three to five years to remove accumulated solids and scum that has settled to the bottom of the tank. Professional inspections should be conducted at the time of pumping to check for signs of damage; these assessments can also identify potential problems before they become significant issues.
Pumped wastewater and solids must be disposed of by a licensed waste disposal company to prevent environmental contamination. Attempting to do so yourself could result in environmental damage and a compromised water supply for your home.
Conservation and proper use are also important parts of caring for and maintaining your septic system. Avoiding excessive water use, fixing plumbing issues promptly, and flushing only bio-degradable products down your plumbing fixtures will protect your system against unnecessary breakdowns and backups.
Signs That Your Septic System Needs Pumping
There are several telltale signs that your septic system is in need of attention. Listed below are some of the most common signs.
Slow Drains
If sinks, toilets, and showers are draining slowly, this is a clear sign that your septic tank may have reached full capacity. Rather than potentially exacerbate the problem with drain cleaners and pipe snakes, call your septic professional to inspect your tank and make recommendations for service.
Foul Odors
If you notice foul odors coming from your drains, toilets, or the area around your septic tank, it may indicate that your tank is quickly filling up. Odors are caused by a buildup of gases and organic matter in the tank.
Standing Water
Standing water and soggy areas in your yard around your tank and drain field may already indicate that your tank is overflowing. Calling a septic professional to diagnose and treat your system is the best prevention for more serious complications that arise from system breakdown.
Backups
If sewer water has backed up into your house or yard, your septic system needs attention. This could be caused by a full septic tank, a clogged drain field, or damaged pipes. Sewer water is a serious and dangerous complication that has health consequences for you and your whole family if not properly addressed.
Clean System, Safer Home
Proudly serving Indianapolis and the surrounding areas, Hope Plumbing offers superior services related to drain cleaning, water heater and water softener service, sump pump repair, gas line repair, inspections, and sewer system repair and replacement services. We provide safe and effective plumbing solutions to keep your house safer, more efficient, and more comfortable for you and your loved ones. Contact us today for an assessment of your septic system.
