Septic systems treat wastewater from kitchen, bathroom and laundry drains before it enters the environment. Regular septic tank service, including inspections and pumping, helps to prevent unpleasant backups, costly repairs, and hazardous environmental contamination.
Septic system maintenance also promotes the preservation of natural ecosystems by limiting harmful pollutants from household waste. Properly treated wastewater discharges into the soil are absorbed and neutralized by naturally occurring bacteria. Contact Septic Service Fresno for professional help.
A septic system works by storing wastewater inside a large underground tank that is broken down by bacteria and then discharged into a drain field. When the tank gets too full, it’s time to have it pumped out, or else you may suffer from sewage backup and other nasty problems.
Having your septic tank pumped out on a regular basis keeps it working properly, which means you’ll have fewer repair bills down the road. It also protects the environment by keeping toxins from seeping into groundwater and waterways.
You should keep track of when your septic tank was last pumped out so you know how often it needs to be done. The typical septic tank will need to be pumped out every 2-3 years. However, if your household is large or you experience a temporary increase in water usage (such as having house guests or hosting an Airbnb) then it might be time to pump more frequently.
If you notice your sinks and toilets are starting to drain more slowly or not at all, that’s another warning sign that the septic tank is getting close to full. This can lead to clogged drains and even sewage backup throughout your home if ignored.
Septic service technicians can inspect your septic tank and its components while they’re pumping it out. This is a good opportunity to check the baffles, which restrain and redirect incoming and outgoing wastewater. A septic tank that has baffles that are damaged or missing is much more likely to develop clogs and other problems.
You should also ask your septic service technician if they can perform a leak inspection while they’re pumping out the tank. A leaky septic tank is a serious problem, and it can cause a lot of damage over time. The sooner you have it inspected and repaired, the better!
Inspection
Septic systems, also known as on-site sewage systems (OSS), treat sewage so that it does not contaminate groundwater or drinking water wells. But just like a car or home, septic systems need regular inspections to keep them running smoothly and prevent damage. Regular septic inspections help to catch small problems before they turn into large ones.
Septic system inspections include evaluating the condition of your septic tank, pump tank (if you have one), and the drain field. A septic tank inspector looks for cracks, leaks, or any other signs of wear and tear in the tank and pipes. They can also measure the sludge and scum levels to determine whether the tank needs to be pumped. They can also perform a flow test on the drain field to ensure it is absorbing wastewater properly and not becoming clogged with solid waste.
Localized pooling or soggy areas in the drain field can indicate septic system malfunction and lead to costly repairs. These issues may be caused by a lack of routine maintenance, improper use of toilet paper, or flushing items that are not meant to be flushed (like wipes, floss, hair, or coffee grounds). Regular septic inspections and proper maintenance can reduce the chances of these problems and help extend the life of your septic system.
While septic systems are designed to last for 20 to 30 years, the life span of your septic system can be extended with regular inspections and maintenance. Septic system owners can also save money on costly repairs and prolong the lifespan of their septic systems by keeping detailed maintenance records. These records will be helpful to future homeowners should they decide to buy the property and can provide proof of timely repairs and replacements.
Because septic systems are by nature buried underground, they can be difficult to inspect visually without the use of specialized tools. Modern septic tank inspection technology uses a digital camera that is sent through the entire septic system and drain field to give septic professionals an unparalleled view of every component and drain line. The digital camera can also help to identify any areas that could need repair or a new septic tank.
Repairs
A properly functioning drainage system protects homeowners from slow draining, unpleasant odors and sewage back-ups. To avoid these issues, it’s important to routinely inspect and maintain your septic system. Septic service professionals are trained to spot signs of septic tank or system problems and perform necessary repairs before they can turn into costly repairs and replacements.
One of the most common warning flags that a septic system needs service is when a toilet or sink drains slowly or fails to flush completely. This is often due to a full septic tank that can’t accept any more wastewater, which can lead to sewage backups in the home. Septic service technicians can clean out the septic tank and repair any leaks in the plumbing system to prevent this from happening again in the future.
Septic systems use a watertight septic tank to store waste from household plumbing. Solids settle to the bottom of the tank to form sludge, while oils and grease float to the top of the tank as scum. The liquid wastewater, known as effluent, exits the septic tank through a distribution box or “D-box” and percolates into the soil for final treatment by microorganisms. A septic tank inspection and regular pumping can help keep this system running properly.
A septic system can also require repairs to its pipes, drainfield and other parts of the property. A septic service professional can assess the condition of the septic tank and drainfield during a regular inspection and recommend any repairs that are needed to extend the life of the system.
Over time, a septic tank can become damaged by leaking cracks, corrosion or other factors. If the septic tank is damaged, it may need to be replaced entirely.
During a septic tank inspection, professional septic services can also clean the septic tank’s filters to remove lint and coffee grounds that aren’t broken down by the bacteria in the tank. Cleaning the filters keeps them from becoming clogged and overflowing, which can cause wastewater to back up into the home.
Septic services can also repair the septic tank’s distribution box and its associated piping. This can include replacing or repairing any broken or disconnected parts, fixing leaks and making sure the distribution box is free of obstructions that can prevent proper flow. If a septic system is failing to function correctly, it can cause damage to the surrounding soil and groundwater. A septic evaluation and regular maintenance can save the homeowner money, avoid environmental contamination and keep family members safe from health hazards.
Maintenance
A septic system is vital for anyone who doesn’t have access to public sewers as it safely and efficiently manages wastewater from your home. But, just like any other piece of equipment, your septic system will require routine maintenance to keep it running smoothly. This will reduce the chances of sewage backups and unpleasant odors and ensure that your system can last for as long as possible.
Septic tank cleaning is an essential part of septic system maintenance as it removes sludge and scum from the septic tank to prevent them from building up and blocking your septic line. Regular septic tank cleaning can also extend the life of your septic system as well as your septic tanks and leach fields.
In addition to septic tank cleaning, septic services can also include an inspection of your septic system and the components that are connected to it. This will help you to determine the overall health of your septic system so that any issues can be addressed promptly. This will help you to avoid costly repairs and minimize the risk of contaminating groundwater and surface water with wastewater.
The drainfield is responsible for filtering wastewater as it leaves the septic tank, and septic service can also include maintenance of this component to make sure that it’s functioning correctly. This may include removing any vegetation that is growing over the drainfield, and fixing any issues that have developed like broken pipes or leaks.
One of the most important parts of septic system maintenance is being mindful about what you flush down your toilets. Excessive amounts of toilet paper, as well as items that shouldn’t be flushed like baby wipes or floss, can lead to clogs that can put your septic system at risk. Regular septic system inspections can catch these issues before they become too serious, and help you to avoid costly repairs down the road.
Septic systems are complex pieces of machinery, and they can be difficult to understand if you’re not an expert. That’s why hiring a septic service with experience and expertise is the best way to protect your investment. They’ll be able to identify any issues and repair them before they become more serious, saving you money in the long run.