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Septic tanks in Chattanooga, TN are often out of sight and out of mind. A home’s septic system is just as important as heating or cooling, so regularly scheduled septic tank plumbing and inspections are essential.
Regular maintenance extends the functional lifetime and performance of septic tanks. Professional inspections let homeowners know when tanks are approaching maximum capacity and find minor issues before they become potentially expensive and destructive problems.
Septic Tank Pumping
Septic tank pumping is required every 3 to 5 years for most households. Frequency depends on storage tank capacity and level of us. Overflowing septic tanks let waste water pool above the tank. Waste water flows in the direction of least resistance, which could easily lead to clean water sources.
Bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and other microorganisms present in waste water may cause illnesses such as cholera, hepatitis A, typhoid, and various types of gastrointestinal illnesses. It is a health hazard even if the waste water flows into the yard, or a neighbor’s yard. Overloaded septic tanks can also back up into the home and cause thousands of dollars’ worth of damage.
Sewage Backups
Septic tank malfunctions need to be addressed quickly. Septic tanks and pipes contain gas, liquids, and solids in an enclosed system. A sewage smell around the home or property means something within the septic system is not working properly.
Foul odors in the home itself frequently come from a sewage backup. Water draining slowly from sinks and bathtubs may also indicate an overflowing septic tank. Call a professional for septic tank plumbing services right away. Continued use without making repairs can lead to backed-up toilets and sinks.
Installing New Septic Systems
Most property owners need professional septic tank plumbing services to install new systems. Properly installed systems can last for decades. All aspects of the property, including terrain, soil composition, locations of nearby wells and water sources, and trees, bushes, and other vegetation, are important. Septic tank plumbing professionals calculate the appropriate size and design of the septic system to meet potential water use needs of a home or business.
All of these factors affect ideal placement of a tank and drain field. A new septic system cannot be installed without proper permits and inspections in Chattanooga, TN. Property owners can save a lot of time and potential aggravation by hiring septic tank plumbing professionals to handle permit requirements.
Existing septic system must be removed before installing new ones. Septic tank plumbing experts help property owners safely remove the old tank and pipes and prepare the area for the new system. Heavy equipment is usually needed to excavate space large enough for a new tank and tracks for drainage pipes.
Gravel packed around pipes help keep them in place and promote drainage. The inland pipes need to rest on a slight downward slant so water flows down to the tank. The slope cannot be too steep or water will drain while leaving solids behind. Experienced septic plumbing service providers ensure the pipes and system are placed correctly.
Septic Tank Ecosystems
Septic tanks hold a contained ecosystem that breaks down solid and liquid waste. Chemicals and products marketed for septic tank health contain bacteria and enzymes. These products may damage the delicate ecosystem within the tank.
Altering conditions inside the tank might break solids down too rapidly. Solids become suspended in liquids, and clogs form because drain fields cannot handle the thick liquid. Professional septic tank plumbing services may be needed to address clogs or restore the balance of the environment and microorganisms inside the tank.
Flushing Problematic Items
Objects such as feminine hygiene products, wipes, cotton balls, dental floss, and other things are commonly flushed down toilets. These items are not safe for septic tanks. Many products containing cellulous are now advertised as septic safe, but this is not always an accurate claim.
The items can get stuck in a home’s plumbing system and block waste from reaching the septic system. Problems continue even when such items reach the tank. They build up on the bottom and create a layer of thick sludge. This often leads to pumping the tank more frequently.
It is even worse if these items and other solids reach the drain field and cause complete system failure. Hire septic tank plumbing services if items that cannot degrade are already present in your septic tank. Pumping the tank before a problem occurs is vastly preferable to massive repairs if the entire system fails.
Garbage Disposal Mishaps
Garbage disposals are very convenient. Throwing scraps and old food into the disposal only takes a few minutes. Unfortunately, some foods should not be discarded through a disposal in homes with septic systems.
Fibrous, stringy foods such as corn husks, celery, and greens create tangles and clogs in the plumbing or septic tank. The septic system cannot break down coffee grounds. This becomes a problem because many households dispose of coffee grounds every day. The grounds form a layer on the bottom of the tank that grows fast when more grounds are added daily.
Starchy foods such as pasta, beans, and rice absorb water and form clogs or take up space inside the tank. Potato peels are especially harmful because they become very sticky while submerged in water and they break down slowly. Regularly scheduled septic tank plumbing is extremely important for homes with garbage disposals. People can learn which foods should not go into the disposal, but it is easy to forget or make a mistake.
Professional septic tank maintenance may be an advantage for selling a home in Chattanooga, TN. Records of routine inspections show potential buyers that the system is in good condition and functioning properly. Home owners with no intention of selling still benefit from peace of mind knowing their septic systems are in good working order. Contact Metro Plumbing, Heating and Air for an appointment today!
