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Septic Tank Pumping - Septic Tank Repairs - Septic System Inspections -
Commercial and Residential Drain Cleaing
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Septic Tank Pumping - Septic Tank Repairs - Septic System Inspections -
Commercial and Residential Drain Cleaing
Septic Tank Pumping
How does my septic tank work?
Your septic tank works by separating heavy solids, grease, and scum from the liquid portion of your domestic waste. The waste coming from your house collects in the tank which allows solids to settle to the bottom of the tank. It also allows the greases, fats, and other floating scum to collect on top of the liquid. The baffle leading to your drain field (as shown in the picture) keeps the floating scum and solids from making their way to your drain field. Only the clearest liquid is allowed to exit the tank. Bacteria that is naturally present in your domestic waste water works to break down the settled solids and the floating scum. This allows your septic tank to continue to operate for a number of years between pumping.
Why do I have to pump my tank?
Over time the solids in the bottom of your tank and the floating scum layer builds up. The contents of the tank should be removed before the solids on the bottom of the tank build up enough to start exiting the tank and entering the drain field. Your drain field is designed to allow the clear liquid waste to percolate through the surrounding media and into the ground where the earth takes over filtering out any remaining pollutants. If scum and solids are allowed to enter the drain field a bio mat will begin to build up on the media that is supposed to be allowing percolation. The bio mat slows down the percolation process which in turn can cause slow draining of your domestic waste and eventually sewage will back up into your home.
How do I know when to have my tank pumped?
We recommend, on average, having your tank pumped every 2 to 3 years. However this time frame can change based on the number of people in your household and what's being sent down the drain. Chemicals, detergents, food scraps and cooking grease and fats are enemies of your septic system and will increase the need for pumping.
We can take the guess work out of deciding when to have your tank pumped. With our system inspections we can tell you approximately when your tank will need to be pumped.
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