Septic Tank Cleaning Keeps Your System Efficient
Regular septic tank cleaning in Prince William, VA, is the best way to ensure that it keeps working smoothly. The experts at SES point out that a well maintained system will last for decades, providing reliable processing of household waste.
As a homeowner, you already know that you need to schedule a septic tank cleaning in Prince William, VA, every 3 to 5 years. But do you understand what is involved and why it is so important? Here is a look at how your system works and what good maintenance, including cleaning, can do for it.
How Your Septic System Works
Your septic system works like your home’s own private sewage treatment plant. It filters and purifies the water that comes out of your drains and toilets so it can safely return to the ground.
It is a passive treatment process that connects the wastewater pipes in your home to a septic tank in the ground on your property. The main pipe from the house drains water and matter you’ve used into the septic tank.
Within the tank, oil and grease form a scum level on top. In the middle is wastewater, called the effluent level. At the bottom is solid matter, called sludge.
The water empties out into the drain field, slowly disbursed through the pipes in the septic tank. But the sludge at the bottom and the scum on top need to be cleaned out. For most homeowners, this should be done every three to five years.
Maintaining Your Septic System
A professionally designed and installed septic tank will last for decades. It can handle waste from toilets, showers, sinks, clothes washers and dishwashers.
Septic tank maintenance has two parts:
- Cleaning, out sludge and scum
- Making sure only safe substances go into the tank
If both are done regularly, your system will stay trouble-free last for many years. By treating it with respect, you can avoid common problems like clogs, backups and damage to the tank.
When Do You Need Septic Tank Cleaning?
In Prince William, VA, you should plan for septic tank cleaning every 3 to 5 years. That’s the basic rule of thumb for most homeowners, but it can vary. It depends on how many people use your plumbing system and the capacity of your tank.
If you’re not sure if you need your tank cleaned, call the experts at SES. They can inspect your system and tell you how often to get it pumped out.
The Benefits of Septic Tank Cleaning
Regular septic tank cleaning in Prince William, VA, keeps your tank efficient. When you get it cleaned out, the solids in your waste have the space they need to form a scum layer and sludge layer. If there isn’t enough space, if the effluent layer is too narrow, solids are forced out of the tank into your drain field, causing clogs.
If that continues, eventually your septic tank and drain field will fail. Replacing your septic system is very expensive and disruptive. All of this can be avoided by getting it pumped out on a regular basis.
What Happens During a Septic Tank Cleaning?
Septic tank cleaning in Prince William, VA, is done by trained technicians. Their first step is locating the tank and opening the access lids. They make a note of the liquid level and check for leaks. If the level is below the outlet pipe, you probably have a leak. If it’s above the pipe, you might have a problem with your drain field.
The technician puts a hose into the tank and starts pumping it out. This hose is attached to a pump in the specially built truck. This makes it possible to vacuum solids and liquids out of the tank and into the truck.
The technician monitors the process and checks the backflow from the outlet pipe. When the pumping is finished, he will check for damage to the tank, like cracks or leaks in the tank, seams or baffles.
Treat Your Septic System Right
You can add years to the useful life of your septic system wit a few precautions.
No garbage disposal. Don’t install a garbage disposal, or reduce your use of the one you currently have. They make it too easy for debris and food waste to get into your tank.
Conserve water. Reduce how much water you use. Repair any faucet leaks and install water fixtures that are low-flow.
Watch what you put in the system. Don’t put grease, solvents, paper towels, sanitary products cigarette butts, coffee grounds, grease, medication or chemicals into your system.
Work with Septic Tank Experts
Here at SES, we have been designing, installing and maintaining septic tanks since 1987. We can help you select the right setup for your needs. When it comes time to for septic tank cleaning in Prince William, VA, we have the equipment and trained technicians to do the job quickly and effectively. We stay current with local laws and health requirements. If you have questions about what your system needs, give us a call. We’re happy to help.
The team here at SES works with homeowners and property owners, real estate agents, lawyers, land planners, management companies, architects and government agencies. Whatever your commercial or residential property environmental quality needs, we can help. We work closely with, and have the respect of, state and local health departments, the Departments of Environmental and Natural Resources in Maryland, Virginia and Delaware.
Over the last three decades, we have been serving the local community by providing a wide range of services, both commercial and residential. These include:
- Septic tank design, installation and cleaning
- Petroleum contamination clean up
- Storm water structure inspection, reporting and maintenance
- Soil investigations for onsite systems
- Well and septic inspections for realtors and home buyers
- Monitoring well installation and sampling
When it’s time for septic tank cleaning in Prince William, VA, call the experts at SES.