A few weeks ago, my husband and I met with a general contractor. We talked with this professional about building an addition onto our small home. At this time, he informed us about a problem with our septic tank. We learned we would have to relocate a couple of septic lines before construction could begin on our home. Are you considering building an addition onto your house or business? Before you get too far along in this complex process, think about consulting with someone from a reputable septic service in your area. An expert from a septic service can inform you if your current septic tank will be large enough to accommodate the addition. On this blog, I hope you will discover the most common tasks performed by septic services. Enjoy!
Solving a Problem
Septic Tank Cleaning Protocols That Homeowners Should Remember
Debra Chapman
Cleaning is one of the most important maintenance tasks you can complete for a septic tank because it prevents costly backups. Here are some actions to take if you're about to deal with septic tank cleaning for the first time.
Locate the Tank Lid
If you're new to septic tank cleaning, the first thing to do is locate the tank's lid. Knowing its location lets you direct a professional pumping company to the appropriate site for a streamlined cleaning session.
Tracking down the tank's lid is relatively easy. If your home came with blueprints, they will say where the tank is. If not, you can still succeed by finding the sewer line and tracing it back to the septic tank.
Check the Inside for Cracks
Once you find the septic tank and open its lid, look inside and see if you notice any cracks. They can form after a while, especially if your septic tank is over a few decades old.
If you spot cracks upon looking inside, let a septic tank repair contractor know so they can fix them before you have to replace the tank completely. After all, crack repairs are the more affordable option.
Find Out the Depth of Scum
Another critical thing to do after you locate the septic tank's lid and open it is to check the scum depth. Your assessment lets you verify cleaning is necessary to begin with. To check scum depth, all you need is a long PVC pipe.
Once you get it from a hardware store, you can place it directly inside the opening leading inside the septic tank. Push down until you feel resistance, and at that point, mark the stain left on the end. The markings show how much scum has built up, letting you know if cleaning is a good idea.
Let a Professional Deal With Waste Disposal
Even if you perform septic tank cleaning yourself, dealing with waste afterward is an entirely different matter. Human waste is toxic and requires ample precautions when handled and removed.
If you let a professional deal with waste disposal, you won't expose yourself to harmful conditions or cause harm to the environment. Additionally, a professional can get rid of waste quickly and legally.
As a septic tank owner, cleaning it is one of the best things you can do to keep it working great. You don't have to be an expert to have success. Common sense, tools, and consistency go a long way.
Contact a professional to learn more about septic tank cleaning.
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