What Happens During Septic Tank Pumping
Very few homeowners remember to service and pump their septic systems. However, septic tank pumping is essential for the efficiency of your septic tank. Furthermore, septic tank pumping should be done every three to five years. You may have to pump your tank sooner if there is drainfield pooling or sewage backups. Here are some stages involved in septic tank pumping.
Inspecting the Tank
Before your septic tank is pumped, the professional will inspect the tank to determine whether pumping is necessary. If the waste at the bottom is almost blocking the pipe connecting to the drainage field, they will prepare to pump the tank.
Another reason the technician will inspect the tank is to check for damage that could affect the pumping process. Some issues you should be concerned about include blocked drains and leaks. These issues can cause the waste to move in the wrong direction.
One sign of leakage is if the levels inside the septic tank are low. If you fail to fix a leak in time, waste will leak out or water can flood the tank. If liquid levels are high before the technician starts pumping, this is a sign of backups from the drainfield.
Another problem that could be identified during the inspection is that your septic tank is the wrong size. If the tank is too small, it means the system cannot handle the waste generated by your household. It's cheaper to install a larger tank than to pay for frequent septic tank pumping.
Pumping Out the Septic Tank
The septic service uses a large tanker truck with vacuum equipment to pump out the septic tank. The technician will remove the tank's lid and insert a hose inside through the manhole. The vacuum will suck out the contents in the septic tank.
The technician will stir the tank's contents with a muckrake throughout the process. This will help mix the solids with the liquid material for more efficient pumping. In some cases, the hose may not remove all the waste. Therefore, the technician will have to use water to clean out the debris left behind.
Final Inspection
Usually, the septic tank isn't fully emptied. A few inches of sludge need to be left inside the tank so it's easier for the system to start back up again. After pumping, the technician will inspect the bank for signs of effluent around the septic tank and on the property.
Additionally, the technician will check for backflow of liquid. This is a sign that the drainfield is faulty. The technician will also determine whether some groundwater drained into the tank while it was being pumped. Finally, the technician will determine the cause of these problems and give you appropriate recommendations. For more information on septic pumping, contact a company near you.