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Homeowners have a lot of responsibilities to keep everything up and running. One of those tasks is to schedule septic tank pumping. Your septic tank has a fixed storage capacity. When your tank gets full, you have to have it pumped out or it will fail to work properly. If that happens, you have a huge, smelly mess to deal with.
Metro Plumbing, Heating, and Air in Cleveland, TN provides professional pumping services that will keep your septic system running smoothly. We are licensed, certified, and insured, guaranteeing that you will get the professional results you expect and deserve.
If you have no idea where your septic tank is or how it works, you are not alone. Most homeowners do not even think about their septic system until they have a problem. The first step to taking better care of your septic tank is to learn a little bit about it. There are a few key facts every homeowner should know about having a septic tank pumped.
How Often Should You Schedule Septic Tank Pumping?
Your septic tank needs to have the solid waste matter removed regularly, to avoid problems. Regardless of the size of your septic tank, it will need to be cleaned out when the solid material fills 30% to 50% of the tank’s capacity. As a general rule, you should have your septic tank pumped every one to three years, to make sure it is able to function properly.
Whether you need septic tank pumping once a year or only every three depends largely on your family’s habits. There are a lot of factors that can increase your need for frequent pumping.
Can I Reduce the Need for Frequent Septic Tank Pumping?
There are ways to decrease your need for frequent pumping of your septic tank. Consider these quick changes to reduce the amount of waste that enters your septic tank.
Get rid of your garbage disposal. Septic tanks are not designed to take care of food waste. When grease and food particles are introduced to the septic tank, it is not able to properly break it down. The kitchen scraps start to build up quickly, filling your septic tank quickly. By taking out your garbage disposal, you can greatly reduce how often you need septic tank pumping.
Be careful what you flush. Your toilets were meant to have waste water and toilet paper flushed down them. When other things are flushed, such as sanitary products, trash, or paper towels, your septic tank will not only fill up faster, it could become damaged.
Lower your water usage. You can reduce your need for frequent pumping by lowering the amount of water that goes to your septic tank. Installing low-flow fixtures can greatly reduce the amount of water you use without sacrificing a thing. Plus, the reduction in water usage will be apparent on your annual water bill.
The Septic Tank Pumping Procedure
Contacting a professional to have work done on your home can be intimidating. Especially if you have no idea what is about to happen. It helps to know what will happen when you contact your plumbing professional to have your septic tank pumped. Here is a look at the pumping process, step by step.
Locating the Septic Tank
Pumping doesn’t begin the minute the plumbing company arrives. The first step is to locate your septic tank. Once the professionals locate your septic tank, they will have to dig it up. Then, they will open the access lids on your tank.
Inspect the Septic Tank Level
With the access lids opened, your professional can see what is really going on inside. This is a perfect opportunity for them to see if there is anything else wrong with your tank.
They will check the level of liquids and compare it to the septic tank outlet. If the level of liquids is below the outlet access, there may be a leak in your tank. If the level is above the outlet pipe, you could have a pipe problem somewhere in the drainfield.
Begin the Septic Tank Pumping Process
Once your professional has determined that there are no other issues causing you problems, the pumping process can start. A hose will be lowered into the tank. This hose is connected to a pump which will vacuum the waste material out of your septic tank and into a tank on the truck. This will remove all the solid and liquid waste.
During the pumping procedure, there is plenty for your technician to do. One issue they will be looking for is backflow. A considerable amount of backflow could point to a backup in the drainfield.
Thorough Cleaning
Once the bulk of the waste has been removed, your septic tank will be completely cleaned. Any remaining waste material will be removed from the corners of your septic tank and freshwater will be flushed throughout it.
Check the Empty Septic Tank
When your septic tank has been completely cleaned out, your professional will inspect the inside for any problems in the structure. They will check for any leaks or damage. If any issue is discovered, a repair plan will need to be discussed and agreed upon.
Professional Septic Tank Pumping
At Metro Plumbing, Heating, and Air, we provide a wide range of septic tank services. We offer pumping, cleaning, installation, and repair services for septic tanks in Cleveland, TN. If you have any questions about the procedure, our professional staff will be happy to advise and inform you about what to expect.
We have years of experience in taking care of septic tanks and can help you understand how to keep yours working better for much longer. We can schedule your future septic pumping appointments for you, so you don’t have to worry about a thing.
Contact Metro Plumbing, Heating, and Air to find out more about our septic tank pumping services and schedule an appointment.
