If your property is not attached to the municipal sewer system, you may have a septic tank on your property, and that means you need to think about septic tank maintenance. When not taken care of, septic tank troubles can lead to a “crappy” situation. However, when it comes to sorting out the best maintenance practices, there are many myths about septic tank maintenance (https://draneranger.com/services/septic-tank/) we can bust.
Using additives means you don’t have to maintain or have your tank pumped as often.
This is a myth that, if believed, can cause damage to your property and end up costing you more than proper septic tank maintenance will cost. Septic tanks have natural bacteria in them to break down the solids. When other chemicals, such as bleach, drain cleaner, or disinfectants, are added to the septic tank, they can eliminate the natural microbes and cause a system failure. Also, adding chemicals to a plastic or metal tank could be corrosive to your tank. Avoid adding chemicals to your septic tank and instead schedule regular tank cleaning.
When you can’t stand the smell, it is time to pump the tank
If you are outside and can smell that foul smell, it is way past the time for tank maintenance. A septic tank needs to be pumped every two to three years. If you wait until the smell tells you it is time, there could be damage to your tank, there is a risk of overflowing, and there could be damage to the system. Plan your septic tank maintenance so that you can avoid any costly damage by waiting too long.
Wait, my tank looks full and I just pumped it—do I need to have it maintained again?
The reason for pumping the tank is for the solids and not for the wastewater. Four to seven days after pumping your tank, it will be full of water again. There is a normal level that the water in your tank needs to hit before it will begin to drain into the absorption area again. If the water flow begins to overflow without draining at all, then there may be an issue with your septic tank. Regular septic tank maintenance should help you avoid this situation.
I want to build a new deck or patio, so I can just build it over my septic tank, right?
This is not a good idea because you need to allow the professionals to access your tank during septic tank maintenance. If there is a deck or patio on top of the tank, it will be hard or impossible for a professional to come and complete the work. There is also the risk of damaging the tank, which could lead to costly repairs or replacement. Lastly, the wastewater is drained onto the drain field, and this needs oxygen to break down the wastewater. If you build on top of the tank or the waste field, you will deprive it of oxygen, and this can cause a backup of the system.
Finding the Right Septic Tank Maintenance Professional
Knowing about the myths and when to complete your septic tank maintenance is crucial to the wellbeing of your home, family, and tank. Make sure you call in a specialist who knows what to look for and how to care for your tank the right way. Visit our website for more details.