On average, a house with three occupants produces at least 200 gallons of wastewater in a day. This is a lot of wastewater for a septic tank to handle, necessitating the need for cleaning out the tank. A failure to clean out the tank regularly poses a health hazard as well as becomes an expensive problem. Septic tank cleaning extends the service of your tank and saves money on repairs. A septic tank should be pumped every 3-5 years for an average of four users.
Preparation of the septic tank
The first step during cleaning is locating the position of the tank. A septic tank is buried underground and there is a need to dig out the soil at the top of the tank. The tank has an access port lid that is strongly fixed to the tank. Some tanks have risers that help in the location of the tank without the need to dig. The tank should be inspected for cracks. If any cracks are detected, they require sealing after the pumping process.
Access to the septic tank
A septic tank can only be pumped through the access port and not the observation port. If a resident insists on using any other port than the access port, they have to sign a release waiver. Some tanks have multiple access ports that should all be used during pumping. A new introduction in septic tank cleaning is the cleaning of these access ports.
Tank cleaning
A septic tank is emptied depending on the volume of the tank in relation to the input of wastewater, level of usage, the amount on non-biodegradable waste and the temperature inside the tank.
When it comes to cleaning, you need to hire a professional who will dispose of the waste in the safest way possible. This process involves emptying the tank of all solid waste present. The pump is cleaned using a vacuum fitted with a hose attached to a sealed tank. The liquid level is lowered below the outlet pipe before the solids can be removed.
Tank cleaning can incorporate pumping and backflushing. When wastewater enters the tank, it separates into layers of solid, liquid and scum. The liquid layer drains out with time but the solids accumulate over time. Backflushing helps break up the solids to ease the pumping process. After the waste separates into layers, the liquid layer is pumped back into the tank to break the solid layer before it is pumped.
