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Septic pumps need to be regularly pumped so as to prevent malfunctions. Septic tank pumping works best when done every three to five years. How often you get your septic tank pumped also depends on the amount of water that your household uses. Septic tank pumping enhances the effectiveness of your wastewater disposal system. Choosing our certified pumpers in Chattanooga, TN assures you of a reliable outcome. Our septic service providers are expertly equipped in all that concerns plumbing.

Signs That You Need Urgent Septic Tank Pumping

A septic tank that seldom gets pumped causes severe repercussions. Solid waste deposits form at the bottom and top of your septic tank lowering the efficiency of the septic system. Septic tanks are normally neglected by most homeowners especially because they are out of sight in their underground setting. Here are some common signs that indicate the need of getting an urgent septic tank pumping:

When the Time is Due

Getting your septic tank pumping done regularly at the right time is more of a rule than a sign. Adhering to this ultimately saves you a lot of stress, time and money.

Sluggish Flushing or Draining

When your toilets don’t flush as quickly as usual, it’s probably because your septic tank needs to be pumped.

Odor

Odor-causing gases tend to emanate from your drains, toilets and the outdoor septic area when the septic tank fills up. The odor is not only repulsive but also unhealthy.

Conspicuously Green Lawn

The grass on your drain field should match the grass on the other parts of your lawn. A sharp contrast means that there has been some extra ‘fertilizer’ around the drain field due to excessive liquid waste.

Sewage Backup

Ignoring all the previous signs results into sewage backups. It is important to immediately consult our Chattanooga, TN septic service providers on seeing any sign of sewage backup.

The Septic Tank Pumping Process

Extracting all the material from the septic tank requires the sludge and scum layers to be broken. Pumping the liquid and re-injecting it to the bottom of the septic tank helps to break the sludge layer. The tank has to be pumped through the central access points (manholes), not through the inspection ports. Pumping through the inspection ports causes damage on the ports and results in incomplete removal of the scum and sludge.

Using additives that reduce the sludge volume in the septic tank is not recommendable. In fact, continuous substitution of pumping with additives results in total failure of the whole septic system. Our certified septic service providers carry out inspections to determine if your septic tank requires repair.

Installing risers from the manholes and inspection ports facilitates efficient septic tank pumping. Marking the location of the tank also reduces the time it takes to access it.

How the Septic System Works

Septic systems are common in places that don’t use centralized sewer systems. The septic tanks are wastewater treatment structures that are located underground. They apply both natural and technical means in treating the household wastewater from laundry, kitchen drains and bathrooms. A septic system fundamentally consists of a drain field (soil absorption field) and a septic tank.

The pressure applied through pumping enables the effluent of the septic tank to trickle into the drain field. Some septic systems are designed in such a way that wastewater can be disinfected before discharging it to the soil.

Here is how most conventional septic systems work:

1. All the wastewater runs out of your household from a main drainage pipe and flows into the septic tank.
2. The septic tank holds the wastewater long enough allowing the solids therein to settle down and form a sludge. The lighter parts of the wastewater float to the top to form a scum. The compartments of the tank prevent both layers from spreading into the drain area.
3. The T-shaped outlet of the tank allows the liquid to drain into the soil absorption field. The drain field is a shallow and covered excavation that is made of unsaturated soil.
4. The soil receives, treats then disperses the wastewater through the soil and discharges it to the groundwater. A drain field that is overloaded with excess liquid causes the wastewater to flow to the ground surface. Backups in the sinks and toilets are then experienced as a result.
5. The wastewater sips through the soil and the harmful bacteria are naturally removed. When the septic system is effectively maintained, the cycle continues efficiently.

What to Expect During Septic Tank Pumping

Your septic tank pumping experience may vary depending on service providers. Here are some things you can expect when you choose our certified septic service providers in Chattanooga, TN:

Uncovering of Tank Access Lids

Septic tanks build after 1980’s have two compartments whose both lids need to be well exposed to facilitate pumping. Opening the lids isn’t always easy as some of them require to be detached technically.

Pumping of the Tank

The pumper removes solids and liquids from the tank through the hose connected to the vacuum track. The sludge may sometimes be very hard but an effective pumper breaks it and extracts all the waste from the tank.

Washing Out the Tank

The pumper then rinses out the tank with water to ensure that the possible most amount of solids are removed.

Inspection of the Tank

Our septic service providers then check the tank for any corrosions or roots from nearby trees. We also check the baffles of the septic tank and ensure that the dividing wall is intact and secure.

Covering of the Tank by Closing the Lids

The lids are then safely returned to cover the tank compartments. Most tanks are however buried relatively deeper and installing risers would help in this case. The risers bring the lids closer to the ground surface and make future maintenance services easier.

Contact Us

Your septic tank is an essential part of the wastewater system in your household. Septic tank pumping should therefore be effectively done every 3-5 years. Our septic service providers in Chattanooga, TN offer comprehensive septic pumping that enhances the performance of your septic system. Schedule an appointment with us today. Call Metro Plumbing, Heating and Air at, (423)-616-1025.