Which is more expensive, the cost of repairing your Central Florida septic system, after it has made a mess, started overflowing, experiencing slow drains, or notice foul smells, or keeping up with routine maintenance?
If you want to save a lot of money, frustration, and headaches, then routine maintenance is definitely the way to go!
What ends up in your septic tank?
Not just what goes down the toilets, but everything that goes down the drain ends up in the septic tank, from the garbage disposal, cooking grease, sinks, showers, dirt from mopping the floors to the sand the kids bring home and ends up in the washing machine. The septic system works 365 days a year, 24 hours a day.
After years of use the scum and sludge builds up and reduces the efficiency of the tank, this can cause the waste water to pass through the tank to quickly and plug up the drain field pipes and cause the waste water to come back up the pipes into your home. By this time you have a serious problem and may have wished you had gotten your septic tank pumped!
How do I maintain my septic system?
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) A Homeowner’s Guide to Septic Systems
You should have a typical septic system inspected at least every 3 years by a professional and your tank pumped as recommended by the inspector (generally every 3 to 5 years). Alternative systems with electrical float switches, pumps, or mechanical components need to be inspected more often, generally once a year. Your service provider should inspect for leaks and look at the scum and sludge layers in your septic tank. If the bottom of the scum layer is within 6 inches of the bottom of the outlet tee or the top of the sludge layer is within 12 inches of the outlet tee, your tank needs to be pumped. Remember to note the sludge and scum levels determined by your service provider in your operation and maintenance records. This information will help you decide how often pumping is necessary.
Four major factors influence the frequency of pumping:
The number of people in your household,
The amount of wastewater generated (based on the number of people in the household and the amount of water used),
The volume of solids in the wastewater (for example, using a garbage disposal increases the amount of solids), and septic tank size.
Some makers of septic tank additives claim that their products break down the sludge in septic tanks so the tanks never need to be pumped. Not everyone agrees on the effectiveness of additives. In fact, septic tanks already contain the microbes they need for effective treatment. Periodic pumping is a much better way to ensure that septic systems work properly and provide many years of service. Regardless, every septic tank requires periodic pumping.
The small price of pumping the tank can avoid the thousands of dollars on repairs, many of which could have been prevented. If you’re experiencing issues with your septic system, waiting usually makes the problems worse. Regular maintenance and inspections can prevent failures and save you a ton of money in replacement and repairs.
If you’re having a problem with your septic system, whether residential or commercial, don’t hesitate to contact Orlando Septic Services. We are here help you with all your waste managements needs!
