It is possible to reduce the cost of costly repairs by keeping your septic tank clean. The tank’s bacteria is constantly working to remove solid waste. It is a good idea that it be cleaned at the least once every three year to ensure it is in good condition. It is best that it be checked by a professional contractor every year.
There are many ways you can help your septic system stay clean. One of the first things you should do is use less water than you typically would. The more water in the tank, the more difficult it is for waste to break down. Water-efficient toilets and showerheads can help reduce water consumption. You can also save water by not running your faucet while you brush or wash dishes.
When wastewater from your home is discharged into the septic tanks, it separates into three layers. The solids settle at the bottom of the tank while the oils and grease rise up to the top. Bacteria in the septic tank break down some of the waste and distribute it to the leach field. When the sludge reaches the bottom of the tank, a pump will be necessary to remove the buildup.
You should have a septic tank to handle the water you use, depending on the size of the home. American adults consume between 80 to 100 gallons of drinking water each day. This is equivalent to 90 gallons worth of solid waste per year. A septic tank should be capable of reducing solids by 50 percent.
The use of chemical additives in your septic system will not improve its performance. In fact, they can cause more harm that good. For example sodium hydroxide can add more acidity to the system. This can cause accelerated clogging or sludge accumulation.
Septic tanks are very easy to maintain. They must be pumped on a regular basis to remove any solid waste that is not allowed to flow into the leach field. Unless there is significant sludge buildup, most septic tank do not need to be pumped. However, it is best that you get it checked as soon as possible if there is a problem.
The septic company will pump your septic tank and also do a short inspection of the tank. These inspections will alert you to any potential problems. An inspection of the septic tank can be performed on a single occasion or when you purchase a new property. These inspections usually cost $100 to $300 and are rolled into the repair costs.
How often you should pump your septic tank depends on the size of your tank and the number of people living in your home. The EPA recommends that your tank be pumped every three to five years. Your specific situation may require more frequent pumping. For example, a single person might need to pump their 1,000-gallon tank once every nine to 12 year, while a five-person family may need to pump it every two to 3 years.
If you’re building a new house, you should consider building a septic tank on the site before laying the foundation of the house. This way, contractors won’t be able to drive over the tank site while they’re building the house. This could delay the construction process. If the septic system is located near where supplies are delivered, they will be unable to drive over it. It is possible that you will need to wait until almost all of the building work is completed before you can have it installed.
It can be difficult to calculate the cost of septic tank cleaning. It is best to contact three local companies to estimate the cost. The companies should be able provide a written breakdown of costs. This way, you won’t have to make a decision on the basis of guesswork. Although they are necessary, they are also very expensive.