Keep Your Septic Tank Running Smoothly

Your septic tank sees a lot of use every day from your toilet, your washing machine and every single faucet in your house. Ordinarily, you never give this a second thought. If you notice a strange smell in your house, however, you might want to start thinking about it. The smell could mean that you need to call a septic tank technician.

When waste enters your septic tank, it separates, with the heavy materials sinking to the bottom and the rest rising above. The liquid between them is full of chemicals and bacteria and flows into your drain field, which absorbs it. The other waste materials, sometimes called sludge, stay in the tank till they’re pumped out. If they don’t get pumped out, however, they could spill into the drain field and block your entire system. It’s this blockage that causes the odor you notice.

A septic system technician will pump out your septic tank and take all the sludge to a waste treatment facility. It’s usually a good idea to have your tank inspected when it’s pumped out. Most units only need pumping about every three years and you may find that problems have arisen since the last time you had your tank pumped.

Before removing the sludge, a technician usually checks the amount of liquid in your tank to make sure it’s not leaking. When the water level is normal, he’ll add more water to make sure it’s flowing properly. Your tank will be pumped after this so that the technician can check for blockages. If he finds one, typically he’ll stop pumping out your tank so that he can take care of the blockage.

There are a few things you can do to decrease the chances of a blockage in your septic tank. Pump out your tank before you host guests or an event at your home. Additionally, have an expert regularly maintain and inspect your tank. This will not only keep it in good shape but may also increase its lifespan. Make sure all of your inspections are done by a certified professional, as this keeps problems from arising in the future. Finally, be careful about what you put into your tank. If it’s not toilet paper, don’t flush it.

It’s important to take care of your septic tank so that it stays in good condition. For more information about your septic tank or if you need a septic system technician in Santa Cruz, visit this website.