If you notice foul odors from drains and toilets, you may have a problem with your septic system. Call a professional immediately because these odors can indicate a leak or an overflow of your tank.

High rainfall or rapid snowmelt can waterlog your septic tank’s drain field, interfering with wastewater flow. This can lead to septic system failure and damage to your home.

Pumping

Some products on the market claim to extend the time between septic tank pumping. However, these additives throw off the primordial ecosystem that has long been working to digest the waste sent to your septic system.

If septic tanks are not pumped on schedule, solids will overflow into the drain field and plug up the system causing it to fail. This is a costly repair.

Often, the first sign that your septic tank is overdue for pumping is slow-draining fixtures. If this happens, contact septic tank maintenance Orlando FL, to have the tank pumped and inspected for possible issues.

Avoid planting trees within 30 feet of your septic system, parking trailers or cars on the leach field, and inviting guests to stroll through your yard or septic tank area. It’s also essential to save maintenance records on your septic tank and system. These will be useful if you plan to sell your house and pass on the system to the future owner.

Inspection

Septic systems are often overlooked, but issues can cause significant disruptions and expenses. It’s important to prioritize their maintenance. A regular visual inspection by a local septic tank pumping service will help you determine how well the septic tank functions and can find problems before they become more serious.

As part of the inspection process, we will check the septic tank thoroughly for any cracks or damage. He will also run water in the house to ensure everything drains appropriately and check the sludge level. He may take a stick to the top of the septic tank to see how thick the scum layer is and determine whether it is time to pump again. A septic tank that is not pumped frequently can cause the sludge to get too close to the outlet pipe, which could clog it and prevent the wastewater from entering the drain field. A clogged drain field can require soil removal and replacement, a costly repair.

Cleaning

The septic tank is a massive underground structure that holds wastewater until solid materials settle out and liquid evaporates. Fats and other lightweight materials float to the top of the tank as scum while microorganisms break down all the rest of the wastewater in the lower layer, known as sludge. The septic tank must be cleaned regularly for the system to work properly and avoid sewer backups and other costly and dangerous issues.

The frequency of cleaning your septic tank is determined by various factors, such as the tank size, the number of people living in your house, and the things you dispose of through the drains (e.g., food scraps, paper towels, and personal hygiene products). If you see water accumulating around your septic tank or in the absorption field of your yard, it is recommended that you get in touch with a professional to inspect and clean the tank promptly. If left unattended, the septic tank can leak sewage into the ground or nearby freshwater sources, contaminating water for miles.

Repair

It’s essential to have regular inspections and cleanings to ensure the septic system functions properly.

Keeping a map or markers for the septic tank and other components in your yard is also a good idea. This can help avoid damaging your septic system during home maintenance or landscaping. It’s also wise to avoid parking or driving on the septic tank and drain field, as this can compact the soil.

It’s crucial to never flush anything except septic-safe toilet paper into the septic tank. Other items can clog the septic tank and drain field, including cooking grease or oil, flushable wipes, cigarette butts, coffee grounds, diapers, cat litter, and paper towels. Also, harsh drain cleaners kill the good bacteria in the septic tank and can lead to clogs. This can increase the frequency of septic tank pumping and repair needs.