A septic tank can be made of fiberglass, concrete, or plastic. The purpose of introducing a septic tank is to restrain the waste and sewage until its spoilage and putrefaction.
Matters which are not heavy and can be floated are detached by septic tank. The septic tank cleaning and maintenance are very valuable for every colony and locality.
The residents of a colony may have to face a nasty and unpleasant environment due to the negligence of their cleanliness.
Also, the non–purified water or waste of these tanks can make the rivers or surrounding lakes contaminated. Therefore, it is highly recommended to tidy the septic tanks for the safety of the environment, health concerns, and habitants of locality, animals, and pets.
The objective of jotting down this article is for the sake of awareness of septic tank cleaning and ways of cleanliness.
Table of Contents
What Are the Signs that Your Septic Tank is Full?
Normal and full are always friendly but the overflow of things is always troublesome.
Similarly, the overflow of septic tanks is very challenging, occurring when the level of water or sewage increases from the normal level of 8–12 inches.
As the liquid intensifies from the normal level, the septic tank is then considered to be full. The symptoms of a full septic tank are extremely notable.
- No rain, still massive water, filled pool; undoubtedly, your septic tank is full. When the solid water starts to create a disturbance for the septic tank system then the liquid part of waste begins to rupture the boundary of the normal level. Thus, there is no more capacity to hold waste and the tank is overfull.
- The overall drainage of the house has slackened is a sign that the septic tank requires cleaning because of its full state. The sewerage of toilets, problems during flushing, kitchen sinks, outdoor gutters, and small lakes near the house slows down due to overfull septic tanks.
- Instead of cleaning the house or surrounding it, the distasteful and nasty stink causes inconvenience. The waste collected or remained at a place becomes the reason for the unbearable smell. Likewise, a full septic tank causes a similar and conspicuous complication.
- Have not used any fertilizer but the lawn is growing green. If the growth of grass near the pipes is incredibly increased, then beware your septic tank is full, and the waste is causing nourishment.
- A consistent gurgle from the pipes and gutters is a prominent sign of overflow.
What is the Best Way to Keep a Septic Tank Clean?
Cleaning and maintaining a septic tank naturally are reviewed as the best way. The usage of chemical-based agents or products in your septic tank can produce harmful effects.
The natural way of cleaning a septic tank is less costly and convenient. You do not need to call your septic system professional urgently. The method of cleaning septic tanks is secure for the environment. It also keeps alive all the necessary bacteria in your septic tank.
The unpleasant odor vanishes with the use of lemon (natural solution). Other ways to clean septic tanks are considered as a cause of poor health of the septic tank.
How to Clean a Septic Tank Naturally?
Natural treatment is always helpful and less costly than artificially repairing the septic tank system. Cleaning your septic system naturally is also exciting and effortless.
Moreover, it also prevents your septic tanks from bacteria and keeps them alive. Here are some ways through which you can clean the septic tank naturally.
- Whenever you face a problem while flushing then use the mixture of baking soda (quarter cup) and vinegar (half cup) and flush this blend. It will decompose the solid waste.
- Two tablespoons of lemon juice are enough for eliminating unpleasant stink and keeps the system’s healthy bacteria unharmed.
- Clean your septic system every six months with this natural solution, pour sugar and cornmeal (every 2 cups), dry yeast (3 packs) in the boiled water, and flush this blend well. This natural process will increase the number of bacteria in your septic system.
- The growth of bacteria in the septic system can be increased with the use of rotten tomatoes. Use rotten tomatoes every 4 months. It also decomposes the waste.
What to Do after the Septic Tank is Pumped?
As a house owner it is your responsibility to make sure that after pumping the septic tank, drainage is well performed. Keep in mind that flushing diapers, wrappers of shampoo, feminine hygiene products, etc., can cause more problems for a septic system. Therefore, do not throw the garbage in your kitchen that may damage the septic tank.
When the septic tank is pumped try to check constantly that wall paint is in good condition. All the faucets in the house are working well without leakage. While washing dishes, taking bath, washing hands, brushing teeth, try to use the essential amount of water.
The wastage of water can be a reason to exceed the normal level of your septic tank. As a result, the septic tank will overfull after it has been pumped. Make a call to your septic professional to perform a good check about the level of scum and sludge after pumping.
How Often Septic Tank Cleaning?
After a period of 3 to 5 years, it is highly recommended to pump the septic tank. However, many experts suggested cleaning after 2 to 3 years. Although it depends on some of the following factors considered for this purpose
- The magnitude of the septic tank in your house
- Family members or population in the house and the surrounding using a septic tank
- If the members have reduced, then an interval of pumping septic system can be changed
- The amount of wastewater produced in the septic tank
- The mass of solids in the waste of a septic tank
- If you own a house containing 1 to 3 bedrooms, then choose a 1000-gallon septic tank for your family. If the size of the tank reduces to 1000 gallons, then it is expected to be pumped very often.
Septic Tank Maintenance
The cleanliness of septic tanks is significant. But maintenance after cleaning is most essential. Pay your contribution to the safety of the septic system.
- Check the lawns and clean them regularly
- Try best to keep the yard side waste-free
- Do not ignore the slow drains of water which may cause big trouble
- Keep the home in a good condition so that in case of selling people appreciate septic system maintenance
- Repair toilets and continuously leaking faucets
- Maintain a record of septic tank pumped with a copy of the record
- Keep noticing if there are any cracks on your walls
- Use a fence around to keep the lid and pipes of the tank secure
- Check the condition of wall paints
Keep the above-discussed factors in your mind for their cleaning. Above all constant evaluation of scum and sludge, viscosity is necessary. Keep evaluating that either the level of scum or sludge is increasing from 25% or not. If it is going to increase, then be alert and prepare to do the best. Periodic evaluation and measurement of the scum and sludge play a vital role to maintain the septic tanks cleaning.
Septic Tank Do’s and Don’ts
Do’s
The septic system is expected to expand if you are interested in adding more rooms or thinking to construct a new washroom. Erosion must be reduced, and efforts are made to drain the field. The maximum growth of grass expects more evaporation.
A proper plan for the sake of septic tank maintenance is extremely advisable for house owners. Use a sufficient amount of water; otherwise, it may cause system overfull issues. Perform a check regularly to stay aware of the septic tank condition and requirements. To lessen the production of solid waste in the septic tank, a suitable filter plays a vital role. An annual inspection enhances the life of the septic tank. Repair all the leaking faucets and pipes placed near the drain field regularly.
Don’ts
Avoid flowing the cooking oils through drains. They may increase the amount of scum or sludge. Making use of additives in septic tanks is thought to be unwell, so avoid their usage. Do not make the mistake of using a chemical based cleaning agent.
Diapers are forbidden to flush. Without the knowledge of your septic tank’s capacity do not perform the renovation. Avoid building anything over the drained field without the consultation of your septic system specialist.
List of Things Not to Put in Septic Tank
Avoid littering the following things through your septic tank
- Paint
- Cigarette buts
- Cat litter/pet litter
- Motor oil
- Diapers
- Plastics
- Oil
- Grease
- Weed killers
- Coffee grinds
- Food scraps
Do I Need to Add Bacteria to My Septic Tank?
The answer is neutral. Somehow it is examined that the existence of bacteria is essential in the septic tank. The absence of bacteria in a septic tank can spark off the unpleasant stink throughout the surrounding area.
It is also considered that bacteria decompose the solid part of the waste and transforms it into liquid waste.
On the other hand, research has not proven positive differences. It is considered that the septic tank will be disturbed due to the presence of bacteria. Altogether, the septic tank cleaning awareness is important as it is a basic requirement of household.