Septic systems clog and fail when solid waste accumulates to critical levels. Routine septic tank pumping and inspections help prevent these issues, saving homeowners money in the long run.

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Septic systems are buried, water-tight containers that act as small-scale sewage treatment facilities. They keep homes without access to municipal sewer lines from experiencing sewage backups and help prevent waste contamination of the surrounding environment and groundwater. To keep your septic system functioning properly, it is important to have regular inspections, pump outs and maintenance. The right septic service provider can ensure these vital services are performed regularly, helping you to avoid costly and hazardous system failure.

The septic tank is the heart of your septic system. It is a large, underground container made from concrete, fiberglass or polyethylene that holds wastewater and solid waste particles. The liquid waste exits the tank through a network of pipes into a drain field, which is a shallow, covered excavation in unsaturated soil. The soil accepts and treats the wastewater, separating the impurities from the water and dispersing it into groundwater.

If you have a septic tank at your home, you will need to keep an eye on it for any signs of problems, such as smelly odors, backed-up toilets or drains that are slow to drain. Using the right septic cleaning products and following proper septic maintenance procedures can help keep your septic tank working well for years to come.

Depending on the size of your home, you may need to have your septic tank replaced or upgraded. If your septic tank is not the proper size for your home, it can overflow and cause problems with your plumbing. A professional NJ septic tank replacement and installation company can help you find the best solution for your home.

Septic system design is also an essential component of your septic service needs. A professional septic system designer, such as Norbill Disposal, will evaluate your site and needs and recommend the most appropriate system for your property. A poorly designed septic system can compromise the longevity of your septic tank and leach field, resulting in expensive emergency service calls.

It is important to map out the location of your septic system components and mark them with stakes or permanent markers. This will help you and your septic service contractor know where the components are located so they can safely access them. It is also helpful to not build structures, such as sheds or decks, over or near the septic tank and absorption field. In addition, it is important not to drive heavy vehicles or equipment over or through the septic system, which could damage the tanks and other components.

Pumping

A septic system requires pumping on a regular basis to keep it from becoming overburdened. Overburdened septic systems can lead to wastewater seepage that floods and damages the absorption field and surrounding landscaping. This untreated wastewater can also flow into and taint nearby water bodies like creeks and rivers. This can be dangerous for pets and children who play in or drink the contaminated water.

A professional septic service company pumps the septic tank using a large truck with vacuum equipment. They will enter the tank through a manhole and then insert a long hose into the tank to vacuum out the contents. They will also stir the contents to break up any solids that have formed. The liquid waste, called effluent, is discharged into the drain field or leach field via a pipe network that is distributed throughout the drainage area.

Over time the solid materials settle to the bottom of the septic tank, forming a layer known as sludge. Grease and other lightweight materials form a floating layer, called scum. The remaining, mostly clear liquid, is called effluent. The septic tank needs to be pumped out when the solids and scum layers begin to fill up the tank or reaches a certain level.

Several factors can influence how often the tank will need to be pumped. Some of the variables include:

The number of people living in the home. Larger families generate more wastewater and need the tank pumped out more frequently. The size of the septic tank. Newer septic tanks have larger capacities than older ones, which can allow for longer intervals between pumpings. The amount of water used in the home. High use of appliances and fixtures that require a lot of water to operate, such as washing machines, dishwashers and sink faucets.

Keeping your septic system in good working condition requires routine inspections and pumping, and following simple maintenance procedures. You can help prolong the life of your septic system by avoiding placing heavy items into the septic tank and limiting the amount of food waste that goes into the garbage disposal. It is best to avoid pouring oil-based products down the drain, toxic cleaners or latex paint down the drain as these can clog the septic system.

Inspection

Septic systems are underground wastewater treatment structures commonly used in rural areas that lack centralized sewer services. These individual systems consist of a septic tank and a drainfield or soil absorption field, and treat wastewater from household plumbing. In a conventional septic system, the septic tank is a buried, water-tight container that holds wastewater for enough time for solids to settle at the bottom of the tank, where they form sludge. Oil and grease floats to the top, where they form a layer known as scum. The clear liquid in the middle is called effluent. The liquid exits the septic tank through an outlet baffle into the drainfield, where it percolates through the soil and is absorbed into groundwater.

The septic system should be monitored regularly to ensure it is functioning properly. Typically, the first sign of trouble is a clogged drain or toilet. If this is the case, a professional should inspect the septic tank as soon as possible to avoid the need for costly repairs.

When septic service professionals visit a home for an inspection, they will examine the septic tank for signs of trouble and look at the water level in the tank. They will also look for any sludge and scum layers in the tank. They will determine the need for septic tank pumping and cleaning, and may recommend repairs to the drainfield or other parts of the septic system.

During septic tank pumping, a large truck with special equipment removes the contents of the septic tank. Technicians then transport the septic waste to a dump site for disposal. The septic tank should be pumped at least every three to five years, and the drainfield should be inspected periodically for signs of trouble.

A septic tank that is not pumped in a timely manner can cause sewage to back up into a house, which is a dangerous and unsanitary situation. It is also possible for the septic tank to overflow into the drainfield, which can result in expensive damage. To prevent this, homeowners should take steps to protect their septic system, such as not flushing anything other than human waste and toilet paper, keeping children and pets away from the septic tank and drainfield, and planting grass and other shallow-rooted plants around the absorption field.

Maintenance

A septic system can serve a home for up to 50 years or more with regular septic service and proper maintenance. However, it will not last as long if a homeowner fails to keep up with essential maintenance tasks. The basic components of a septic system are the house sewer drain, septic tank and a soil absorption field (leach field).

A home’s wastewater drainage line connects to the septic tank via a baffle. The baffle deflects the incoming sewage and waste, allowing solids to settle down into the sludge layer and oil and grease to float up to the scum layer. This leaves a relatively clear liquid called effluent that exits the tank through an outlet baffle into the drainfield or soil absorption field.

The septic tank and drainfield work together to treat wastewater that is discharged from household sinks, toilets, bathtubs, showers and appliances. The septic tank holds the sewage until there is sufficient liquid to empty into the drainfield, which is a series of perforated pipes that filter wastewater as it seeps through the soil.

If the septic tank and drainfield fail to function properly, raw sewage may back up into the home’s plumbing fixtures. This carries harmful germs and bacteria, including Hepatitis A and other illnesses, that can cause serious health problems for you and your family. Regular septic service helps to prevent this risk by keeping the septic tank and drainfield clean.

Septic service includes cleaning the septic tank and inspecting the entire septic system to identify potential problems and make repairs as needed. A professional septic service can also pump the septic tank and back-flush it to thoroughly clean the inside of the tank, check the baffles for damage and repair any cracks or leaks.

You can help reduce your need for septic service by avoiding the flushing of items that don’t belong in your septic system, such as feminine hygiene products, paper towels and wipes – even those labeled as “flushable” – and grease and oils. You can also help by being mindful of the amount of water you use and by repairing leaking faucets, showerheads and toilets.