Not every Cleveland, TN, home is built the same when it comes to drainage systems, but it’s important to know what you’re dealing with in your home. If there’s a lot of space between the homes where you live, you might have a septic system instead of a standard sewer system. As is the case with anything, you have to know how to maintain your septic system, which includes regular septic tank pumping in most cases. If you don’t know the first thing about the septic system you’ve got in your home, here are some of the basics to help you out.

How Do Septic Systems Work?

Most homes have a sewer system that uses sewage pipes to carry waste water from your Cleveland, TN, home to a centralized point where it’s treated for redistribution. Since this water exits your home constantly and travels far away to a treatment center, you don’t have to worry about things like septic tank pumping.

Septic systems offer an alternative solution to a typical sewer system because a septic system breaks down waste right there on your property. Instead of flushing and sending waste through sewer pipes to a central location, you send them directly to your septic tank where they can be processed.

There are three layers in a septic tank, most of which hold about 1,000 gallons of waste water. The top layer is made up of the stuff that floats and is called the scum layer. The heaviest stuff sinks to the bottom of the tank to create the sludge layer. In between these two layers, there’s a layer of water with fertilizing chemicals. This buildup of waste is the reason a lot of people need septic tank pumping devices installed in their tank.

Each time more waste water comes into the tank, gas is released. This gas is vented through vents in your rooftop which produce gas with each influx of waste water. Water is also released into drain fields each time you send waste water to your septic system.

Why Choose a Septic System?

The biggest reason most people choose a septic system is their circumstances. The fact of the matter is, there are certain situations where it may be better to have a septic system installed in your home instead of connecting to the sewer system. Even if your setup requires septic tank pumping, it may still be a better option.

One of the main obstacles when it comes to hooking up to the sewer system is the distance between homes in your area. If your Cleveland, TN, home is spaced out far from your neighbors and the road, you’re going to have to spend a lot more to get enough pipe to connect your home to the sewer. A septic system, on the other hand, can simply be installed right next to your home in the yard somewhere. This means you don’t have to worry about running extended lengths of pipe to connect your home to the city’s waste system, which ultimately saves you money.

Another reason some people choose septic systems is that they’re eco friendly. Since septic systems treat waste and septic tank pumping sends it to nearby drain fields for disposal, there’s no waste of resources like there is when water is sent miles away for treatment.

What Is Septic Tank Pumping?

In most cases, your septic tank does a good job of functioning on its own. However, some people may need to invest in a septic tank pump to remove the waste from their septic tank that otherwise couldn’t be removed. If you’re not sure whether or not you need a septic tank pump, here’s what you need to know.

Septic tanks are designed to dispose of waste on their own, so septic tank pumping generally isn’t a necessary part of the process. However, if parts of your septic tank are raised, it can cause problems when it comes to natural drainage. One of the biggest problems is a septic tank where the last waste disposal point is going uphill so gravity can’t do anything to help it drain. In these cases, you need a septic tank pump for your Cleveland, TN, home.

Since septic tank pumping involves using a submersible pump to remove excess waste from the tank, you don’t have to worry about doing a whole lot beyond paying for installation. It’s important to keep in mind that proper septic tank pumping requires proper installation, so you should always have a professional determine where exactly to install your pump.

Things to Note

Taking care of your septic system is an important part of making sure you don’t have to spend thousands on repairs or deal with disgusting problems in your yard. Having said that, it’s crucial that you understand a few basic things about your septic system.

For starters, make sure your septic system is installed correctly. You should also avoid putting slow-degrading objects down drains if you want to keep pumping to a minimum. Speaking of that, you should have your septic tank pumped every 3 to 5 years at least.

One mistake a lot of people make is getting careless with projects in the yard. Keep in mind that you’ve got a septic system buried down there, so you need to be extra careful when digging.

Here to Help

Transitioning to a septic system can be a difficult task if you’ve only lived in homes with sewer systems, but it’s not the end of the world. As long as you understand the basics of maintenance and care, you’re good to go.

Of course, having a plumber who knows about septic tanks and septic tank pumping is a big help. If you’re looking for some of the very best plumbing services in Cleveland, TN, you can count on the folks at Metro Plumbing, Heating and Air. To find out more about maintaining your septic system or schedule an appointment today, call us at (423) 616-1025.