When it comes to the maintenance of your home there are lots of different things to keep on top of. For many people, cleaning and emptying your septic tank regularly is probably not the first thing that you think of – after all, out of sight can mean out of mind. Emptying your septic tank regularly is, however, extremely important and should not be overlooked or forgotten.
Failing to clean and empty your septic tank can lead to a number of unpleasant problems and issues that you will most certainly want to avoid, which is why it is very important to get clued up when it comes to your septic system and the maintenance required. Below we have put together a guide on why emptying your septic tank is so important.
A septic tank is an underground watertight chamber that is made of either plastic, concrete or fiberglass. This chamber collects and treats sewage and wastewater produced by kitchen drains and bathrooms at properties that are not connected to main sewer systems. They are far more common in rural areas than in big cities, which usually have large sewer systems.
A septic tank works by separating sewage and wastewater into three different layers: scum, liquid effluent and sludge. The layer of scum is made up of materials that float on water such as fats, oil and grease. The second layer is made up of liquid waste and the third bottom layer, sludge, is made up of materials that are more dense than water (the solid portion). The bacteria that thrives in these three layers breaks down and liquifies the layers of scum and sludge, allowing them to degrade into the liquid layer. Typically, water leaves a house through one main drainage pipe which leads to a septic tank. The liquid wastewater layer exits the tank into a drainfield: a shallow pit of unsaturated soil. This soil filters through the wastewater while treating it.
Septic tank emptying is very important, and failing to empty your septic tank correctly can lead to a number of different issues, such as a build-up or blockage. Worse still, incorrect maintenance can lead to overflow issues. Signs of a damaged septic tank include the smell of sewage, your drainage slowing down, wastewater backing up into your household drains, pools of effluent on the surface of the tank and unusually green grass around your system.
Damage, blocks and overflows can be caused by a number of issues:
Regularly emptying your septic tank has many advantages that go far beyond just preventing bad smells and avoiding blocked toilets and drains. Other benefits of septic tank emptying include:
Generally, it is recommended that you empty your septic tank around once a year. Even if your septic tank is not completely full, you should have it emptied regularly to keep it in good condition and to ensure that it continues to work correctly. Other factors to take into consideration when deciding on how regularly to empty your tank include the number of people that live in your household and the water usage in your property, the size of your tank, the age of your tank and the weather (for example, torrential rain can overload the drainage field and stop the tank from emptying).
Septic tanks and cesspits both serve the same purpose: they are buried underground and collect sewage and wastewater. While a septic tank has a drainage system that treats wastewater and filters the water back into the ground, a cesspit has no treatment or drainage process. This means that a cesspit needs to be emptied more regularly as they do not have an outlet and the only way for the water to leave the tank is by being manually emptied by a registered waste handler. Septic tanks should be checked and emptied annually whereas cesspits may need to be emptied monthly or quarterly, depending on the number of people in the household and the amount of water used.
The best way to keep your septic system in top condition and to avoid potential leaks, blockages and damage is to have regular inspections, maintenance and emptying by a professional company. Here at J H Willis and Sons, our team of experts provide regular domestic and commercial maintenance and routine emptying in the North West of England to ensure that your septic tank functions smoothly and efficiently, taking the stress off you.
We are passionate about minimising the environmental impact of waste disposal which is why we work closely in collaboration with the Environment Agency and Environmental Health. All of our waste is disposed of responsibly to licensed premises.
To discuss your septic pumping and waste management requirements, simply get in touch with us today. We also provide agricultural contracting services and industrial waste management services.
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