A healthy, working septic system is essential to your home and should be maintained on a regular basis. Proper septic tank cleaning is the best way to avoid clogs, backups and untreated wastewater releases into the environment.
Solid waste sinks to the bottom of your septic tank, where it forms a layer known as sludge. Liquid waste, called effluent, floats on top of the sludge and is sent to your drain field for further treatment. Contact Septic Tank Cleaning Perth now!
When you flush a toilet, use your kitchen garbage disposal or wash laundry, everything that goes down the drain is absorbed into the septic tank. Over time, solid waste will build up in the bottom layer of your septic tank. This is called sludge. As the sludge builds up, the usable volume of your septic tank decreases. When this happens, your septic system becomes less efficient, which can lead to blocked toilets, overflowing drain pipes and even leach field contamination.
It’s important to clean your septic tank on a regular basis. Keeping your septic tank empty will help you avoid expensive repairs and keep harmful bacteria from seeping into your home. The best way to do this is to hire a professional to pump out your tank. But what does this process involve? And how can you tell when it’s time for a cleaning?
A septic tank is a large container that’s buried underground to treat wastewater from your home. It’s made of fiberglass, plastic or concrete. Inside is a baffle filter and a set of 4-inch inspection pipes, each with an inlet and outlet.
As wastewater enters your septic tank, it mixes with everything else icky that’s in the tank. This includes sludge, scum, fats, oils and other waste that settle in different layers within the septic tank. The sludge layer is the heavy, organic part of the waste that settles to the bottom of the tank. Over time, it can become thick and hard to remove.
If left unattended, the sludge can eventually fill up your septic tank to the point that it stops accepting new waste. The sludge may also leak out of the septic tank and into the surrounding ground, which can contaminate your home’s drain field or leach field.
To remove sludge from your septic tank, professional service providers open the septic tank lid and insert a long metal pipe—typically 10 ft (3.0 m) for an average residential tank—into the septic tank to stir the contents. This is a labor-intensive process and can be dangerous, but it’s the only effective method of breaking up the sludge and making it easier to remove.
Scum
When water goes into your septic system, it’s mixed with everything else icky that comes out of your home. The heavier matter sinks to the bottom and is referred to as sludge, while the lighter stuff floats on top and is called scum. Over time, the sludge and scum layers will build up in your tank until it’s full. When this happens, it’s important to have the septic tank cleaned so that wastewater can properly flow out into your drain field and your household waste is safely and quickly removed from your property.
In addition to looking a little gross, a septic tank scum layer can also pose a health risk for your home. This is because the scum layer can contain bacteria and other harmful material that can travel through the pipes in your home, clog them, and lead to sewage backups. A septic tank technician will regularly check the liquid levels in your septic tank to ensure that the sludge and scum aren’t too high. The goal is to get your septic tank as close to a zero-sludge level as possible.
Generally, the scum layer will have a greenish-brown color to it and can look like thick foam or bubbles. This is because the septic tank scum is made up of human waste and non-organic materials such as wet wipes, feminine hygiene products, grease, oil, and other kitchen waste. This scum can sometimes develop into a hard crust on the surface of the tank.
This can occur for a number of reasons, but the most common is when the septic tank hasn’t been used for a long period of time. It can also happen if you flush non-organic material down the toilet or drains such as paint, solvents, pesticides, or excess cleaning products.
Keeping up with your septic tank maintenance schedule and avoiding flushing anything other than the 3Ps (pee, paper, and poo) can help to reduce the chances of a septic tank scum crust forming. However, if you do see signs of a septic tank scum or sludge problem, it’s best to contact a professional for septic tank cleaning services. They will use a large tanker truck with vacuum equipment to remove all the sludge from your septic tank.
Bacteria
Your septic tank relies on an army of microscopic bacteria to break down your waste. These bacteria are vital to the process, but can easily be harmed by chemicals that enter your septic system.
When you pour large amounts of bleach or other harsh chemicals into your drains, it kills the bacteria in your septic tank. This can cause the solid waste in your septic tank to overflow into your leach field, where it will ruin the soil and water table. In some cases, the waste may even travel back into your home.
A well-maintained septic system is a necessity for many homeowners and businesses, but it’s easy to neglect. Most people don’t think about their septic systems until something goes wrong, but regular cleaning and maintenance will ensure that your septic tank is working properly.
As wastewater flows into your septic system, it goes through a three-part treatment process. First, a drainage pipe will send it to your septic tank, where bacteria will begin breaking down the waste. Then, the bacteria will create a layer called sludge, which is composed of inorganic solids. A layer of organic scum will also form, and the liquid will be a third layer known as effluent.
The bacteria in your septic tank are important to the process, but they can be killed by chemical cleaners or other harsh chemicals. It’s best to avoid using any products that contain phosphates, phenols, or alkali detergents, as these can disrupt the ecosystem in your septic tank. Instead, use septic safe products that are free of chlorine, dyes, and fragrances.
Some products on the market claim to extend the time between pumpings by hastening the bacterial breakdown of sludge and scum. However, these additives are unnecessary and may even harm your septic tank. They can throw the primordial ecosystem that has developed in your septic tank out of balance, and interfere with the natural enzymes that are already in the process of decomposition. It’s best to stick with a few simple tips for maintaining your septic system and avoid overdoing it.
Water
As wastewater passes through a home or building, it enters the septic tank. Bacteria inside the tank will break down solid waste and separate the liquid from it. The inorganic solids will fall to the bottom of the tank, forming the layer known as sludge. The fats, oils and other organic solids will float to the top of the tank, forming the layer called scum. The liquid wastewater is known as effluent and exits the tank. This water then flows into a drain field or leach field on the property, where it will be naturally filtered by soil before it is returned to the groundwater table.
Keeping the septic tank clean can extend its lifespan and prevent issues such as clogs, slow drainage and sewage odors. However, even if these problems are not occurring, a septic tank will need to be cleaned every three to five years. A professional septic tank inspector can determine when the time for a cleaning is nearing. They will look at the sludge and scum layers to assess how much of each is present. They will also look for leaks and clogs. A professional will keep detailed records of the inspection for future reference.
The septic tank is an underground container that holds inorganic and organic solid waste from homes and businesses. As wastewater is pumped into the tank, bacteria will begin to break down the solid waste, creating three layers. The sludge is the bottom layer, the scum is the top layer and the wastewater is in the middle. Eventually, the bacteria will transform the sludge into a liquefied form that can be expelled from the tank.
The septic tank must be regularly inspected and pumped to remove the accumulated waste. To do this, professionals will excavate the area around the septic tank. They will use specialized equipment to expose the tank without damaging nearby structures or the surrounding soil. Once the tank is uncovered, it can be emptied and cleaned before being removed from the ground. The drain field will then be refilled with clear water. The septic tank is a vital component of a sustainable, sanitary home or business.