After struggling for quite some time with our septic system, I realized there might be a problem with the way we were approaching various aspects of plumbing. For starters, we didn't think too much of putting things down the garbage disposal, which created some serious issues later on down the road. We were left struggling with drains that just didn't work properly, and so we started carefully considering ways to change things. We talked with a plumber about septic system maintenance, and they had some tips that improved our experience. Check out this website for awesome tips on managing septic tanks.
If you own a septic system, the EPA recommends scheduling a tank pumping and inspection every three to five years. Following this schedule is the ideal way to maintain your septic tank while offering a bit of leeway to pump more or less frequently, depending on your home's usage and needs. Under normal situations, this recommendation is the only schedule that homeowners need to follow.
However, there are certain situations where you may want to schedule a tank pumping, even if you've already had your tank pumped much more recently than three years ago. Keep reading for three scenarios where scheduling an immediate tank pumping may help prevent much more costly problems for your system.
1. After Storm Waters Recede
Heavy rainfall can be a potentially stressful time for your septic system, and severe storms can create numerous issues. Your septic system relies on adequate drainage in your leaching field to disperse and eliminate liquid effluent. As a result, a saturated leaching field can reduce your system's efficiency or even prevent it from draining properly.
However, an empty septic tank is also at risk of floating when the ground is saturated. In most cases, following unusually intense rainfall, the best thing to do is to limit the usage of your septic system and avoid pumping your tank while the ground is saturated. Once the ground dries out, you may want to consider scheduling a pumping to help ease any additional stress on your system.
2. Before a Long-Term Guest Arrives
Home builders design septic systems based on the size of a house and its expected occupancy. Typical methods often consider the expected daily flow of wastewater, usually based on the number of bedrooms or bathrooms in a house. However, having a long-term guest in your home can disrupt this balance, ultimately producing a greater daily wastewater flow than usual.
While an extra person or two in your house won't immediately overwhelm your system, it can cause your septic tank to become full much more quickly. If you haven't had your tank pumped recently, scheduling a pumping before your guest arrives can help ensure your system doesn't suffer from any embarrassing (and costly!) problems due to the extra load.
3. When Buying a New Home
When purchasing a new home with a septic system, you should always look for documented evidence that the previous owners pumped the tank recently. If you don't have this documentation, there's no way to know the status of the septic system. Instead of waiting for the system to back up, potentially causing damage to the leaching field, it's usually a good idea to schedule a tank pumping.
Once you take care of this initial maintenance, you can follow the EPA's recommended schedule. Although this initial pumping may prove unnecessary, it will help ensure you get off on the right foot with your maintenance schedule and prevent any messy problems that can quickly ruin your enjoyment of your new home.
Contact a local septic tank pumping service to learn more,
Share10 February 2023
