Any residential home or commercial building not connected to a city sewer system needs a way to remove waste from all outgoing drains. The waste is stored in a septic tank that will eventually need emptying.
Most plumbing professionals will recommend that you have a septic tank cleaning every two to three years at a minimum. Some properties may need to be pumped more often, according to usage.
What Is a Septic Tank?
A septic tank is an underground compartment (usually rectangular or round) used for storing waste. Typically, it’s made of fiberglass, plastic, or concrete. It has several compartments for a T-shape and prevents contents from leaving the tank and flooding the ground.
Septic Tank Pumping in Chattanooga, TN
A blocked septic tank can be a serious issue. Your system needs routine maintenance for it to continue working properly. That’s why Metro Plumbing, Heating, and Air is ready to perform septic tank pumping and septic inspections in Chattanooga, TN.
We’ll come to your home or business to complete affordable septic service. While we’re there, we’ll check your system for other issues to keep your system running smoothly.
How Does a Septic System Get Pumped?
When a technician from our plumbing team arrives at your residence or business, they will be equipped with a large truck containing tanks and vacuums. The vacuums will be inserted into the septic tank through the maintenance hole.
Pumping a septic tank usually begins with a truck-mounted vacuum system to remove the liquid from the tank. The debris is stirred in the tank to make removing solids and fluids easier.
When Should I Hire a Septic Tank Service Near Chattanooga?
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that you should have your septic tank inspected every two to three years and pumped every three to five years. If the amount of wastewater you have increases, you may need more frequent mechanical pumping.
Frequency of pumping depends on several factors:
- Size of the household
- Amount of waste being produced
- Amount of solids in the wastewater
- Capacity of the septic tank
Larger tanks can hold more wastewater and need to be pumped less frequently.
Signs You Should Have Your Septic Tank Pumped
If you haven’t had a septic tank pumping for a while, there are a few things you should look for. It can be a serious problem if your tank overflows, so it’s important to look for these signs:
- Sluggish drains
- Foul smell
- Extra lush grass around the tank or drainage area
- Standing water in your yard
- Sewage backup
- High levels of nitrates in your well water
You should always keep track of the last time your septic tank was pumped to prevent overflow.
Common Septic Tank Issues
One of the most common problems with a septic tank has to do with the deep, gravel-filled pit that absorbs waste as it soaks into the ground. These pits will not last forever, so it is essential to watch for any signs of failure, including overflowing toilets and foul odors from the drains.
Your septic tank is not a trash can, so watch what is flushed or dumped down the drain. Any unnecessary dumping of cooking oils or grease can cause severe blockage in the pipes leading to the septic tank. These are difficult to clean and lead to smells and trouble with septic tank pumping.
A separate but equally problematic issue is sludge build-up. If sewage backs up into your home’s drains, it’s an indicator that the sludge levels in the septic tank are too high. This problem needs to be addressed immediately. If you notice any sewer odors coming from your drains, find a plumber in your area or call Metro Plumbing, Heating, and Air in Chattanooga, TN.
Chattanooga Septic Repair and Annual Maintenance
If you own a property that needs a septic tank, there’s no avoiding these issues. The EPA says that the home or business owner is responsible for maintaining their own septic system. Don’t put your septic tank pumping off any longer. Call Metro for septic tank pumping near you or septic tank inspection near you.
At Metro Plumbing, Heating, and Air we offer septic repair services and annual maintenance, along with many other services. We respond to emergencies because plumbing issues don’t necessarily keep banking hours!
Most septic tank problems occur due to a lack of maintenance. Metro Plumbing, Heating, and Air can help you keep your septic tank in peak condition. If not, you might need a replacement, and those are not cheap! Call today to schedule your septic inspection, repair, or septic tank pumping in Chattanooga, TN! We’re the experts, and we’re ready to help.