Septic Tank Cleaning Perth is a dirty, messy job that requires specialized equipment and knowledge. A professional can save you the hassle of doing it yourself and ensure that it’s done properly.
A septic system needs routine inspection and pumping to keep it functioning properly. Without it, solid waste can clog the system, cause sewer backups and release untreated wastewater into the environment.
Clogged Drains
When septic tank cleaning is not done regularly, waste can build up in drains and toilets. Clogged drains can be a sign of a more serious problem that needs professional attention. It is also possible that a septic system is overflowing and that the wastewater is backing up into the house. A septic tank that is too full needs to be pumped out and cleaned before this happens.
A septic tank contains three different components: scum, wastewater, and sludge. Scum is the oil and grease that floats on top of the wastewater. The septic tank has special compartments and an outlet to prevent scum from leaving the tank with the wastewater. The wastewater then flows to a drain field or leach field, where it filters through the soil. This is a natural process and helps keep the environment clean. Sludge is the solid waste that sinks to the bottom of the tank. The septic tank has an inlet baffle to stop the inflow of solid waste, but this can become blocked as well.
Non-flushable waste can clog drains and cause overflows, such as cotton swaps, feminine hygiene products, dental floss, paper towels and cat litter. Grease and food scraps can also clog drains and overflow the septic system. Bleach and other harsh cleaners can kill the bacteria in your septic tank that help break down the sludge, so it is important to limit the use of these items.
It is a good idea to keep a septic tank microbial product, such as Muck Munchers on hand, as it will add beneficial microbes that will help reduce sludge and clogs. These can be used as a preventative measure to avoid the need for frequent septic tank pumping.
In addition to septic tank microbial products, it is a good idea to use the tried and true method of using baking soda and vinegar to unclog your drains. This is a septic-safe way to clear clogged drains and is something you may remember doing as a kid with red food dye and baking soda. This works by creating lots of bubbles that are able to cut through most clogs and blockages.
Septic Odors
If you live in an area without a centralized sewer system, then your septic tank is one of the key components to treating wastewater at your home. These underground chambers are designed to separate solid waste from liquids in household wastewater, with the solids settling in the bottom of the septic tank and partially decomposed by bacteria. When a septic tank begins to fill up, it can cause issues throughout your plumbing system and yard, including bad odors.
Odors can indicate a problem with your septic system and should never be ignored. It’s important to understand what causes septic odors and what you can do to prevent them.
Septic odors can come from inside your home, around the yard, or even in your garage. These foul odors are caused by hydrogen sulfide and other gasses that are produced during the breakdown of organic waste in your septic tank.
The good news is that septic odors can usually be prevented with regular maintenance and cleaning services. For example, adding a cup of baking soda to your sink drains once a week will help maintain the correct pH level in your septic tank, which is critical for proper sewage digestion.
A septic tank that is overdue for a cleaning can lead to a backup in the drainage field, which can result in puddles in the yard and wet spots in the drain fields. If you notice these signs, then it’s time to call a professional for septic tank pumping.
If septic odors are coming from inside your house, it can be an indication of a serious issue with the septic tank or plumbing. The smell can be caused by the buildup of hydrogen sulfide, methane, and carbon dioxide, which are harmful to humans in large amounts.
The first thing to check is whether the septic tank access lid is sealed properly. If not, this could allow the gases to escape into your home. You should also check your plumbing vent to make sure that it isn’t clogged or blocked. If it is, you can have a plumber extend your vent or place carbon filters on top of the pipe to absorb and diffuse septic odors.
Groundwater Pollution
Septic tanks are underground chambers that receive gray wastewater (from kitchen and laundry rooms) and black wastewater from toilets and latrines. The wastes enter the septic tank from household drains and are separated, with solid materials sinking to the bottom and liquefying in the sludge layer while gases are expelled. The septic system works because of the presence of natural microbes that digest and reduce the organic matter, including human and animal wastes.
The septic tank’s liquid effluent is then released into the soil. A mixture of microbes and sand or coarse gravel helps treat the water as it percolates through the ground. The effluent then enters the groundwater supply, where it is filtered again by bacteria. But if the septic tank is not cleaned, harmful chemicals that can kill the microbes may reach the leach field and pollute the environment. The contaminated wastewater can introduce pathogens into the groundwater, including bacteria, protozoa, and viruses that cause vomiting, diarrhea, hepatitis, and dysentery. It can also introduce phosphorus and nitrogen, which reduce the ability of water to carry oxygen.
A professional inspector will check the sludge and scum layers to determine when it is time for a septic tank cleaning. During the inspection, the inspector will also look for signs of leaks. The inspector will relay his or her observations to the homeowner and will provide a record for future reference.
Chemicals used to clean the septic tank can kill the natural microbes that are essential for the septic system’s operation. The microbes are also important for reducing the release of gases. Hydrogen sulfide, the most common gas produced, has an unpleasant odor and can be dangerous to humans who breathe it in. The gas is also toxic to septic tank pumps, which will break down over time.
Failing septic systems pose an under-the-radar threat to human health in a nation where most public and regulatory attention is directed at centralized sewer systems. When the systems fail, they can pollute water sources with bacteria, parasites, toxins, nutrients, and other pollutants. The pollution can affect people, animals, and plants.
Damage to Property
A septic system is an important part of any home or business that has its own wastewater treatment and disposal. But most people don’t give this crucial piece of underground infrastructure much thought—that is, until sewage backs up into their bathrooms. Fortunately, this is a problem that can be prevented with regular septic tank cleaning.
A water-tight container made of concrete, fiberglass, or polyethylene buried underground, the septic tank is designed to separate solid waste from liquid in wastewater. When a drainage pipe brings waste into the tank, bacteria inside the tank start to break down the solids, creating three layers: sludge at the bottom, scum at the top, and effluent in between.
Eventually, the liquid matter from the tank makes its way to the drainfield where it’s absorbed by soil and becomes a natural fertilizer for local plants. This helps protect groundwater and prevents hazardous material from polluting local waters. But if the tank is full and doesn’t receive regular maintenance, solid matter can build up in the tank and prevent the liquid from passing into the drainfield. This leads to a toxic septic tank backup.
It’s important to remember that the frequency of septic tank cleaning can depend on how many people live in a house, what types of products are flushed down the drains, and how much use the system gets. Some items, like paints and chemicals, should never be poured down the drain, as they can clog the septic tank. The best way to keep the septic tank clean is to have it pumped regularly and to limit water usage as much as possible.
The responsibility for emptying a septic tank generally falls on the property owner, which in a home or condo is typically the homeowner. However, landlords may be responsible in rental properties.
The best way to prevent a septic tank disaster is to have it inspected and cleaned regularly by a licensed professional. The technician will look for physical damage to the tank, as well as inspect the condition of the outlet baffle and filter. The tech may also ask homeowners to flush a toilet or run water once the cleaning is complete, so that they can see that the septic tank works properly.