If you have a septic tank, it’s easy not to notice it exists until there’s a problem. But even when everything appears to be going smoothly, your septic tank requires regular maintenance. Here’s what you can expect if you’ve never booked this kind of service before.
Start With a Full Inspection
Typically, a technician will start by finding and exposing the septic tank lid. It’s easier in some homes, where the lid is already exposed or has an access riser. In others, they may have to dig a bit to find it. They’ll open it up, and they will look for the level of liquid in the tank, which gives them clues about how well the septic system is operating.
A technician may also ask you to add water to your tank by running one of the plumbing fixtures in your home so that they can watch how the wastewater flows into the tank. If it’s slow or backed up, it could indicate there’s a clog or a problem in the pipes. Technicians are often on the lookout for signs of damage as well, like cracks in the tank or a clogged-up filter that’s overdue for a replacement.
Pumping and Cleaning the Tank
When the examination is complete, it’s time to pump the tank. This entails using a big vacuum hose to suck out all the sludge and scum that have accumulated in the tank. Assuming you’ve been keeping a regular cleaning schedule, the job should be completed in less than an hour. But if it’s been a long time since your last pump-out, the job can take much longer, and the technician may even have to break up solids that have hardened and are stuck at the bottom.
With the tank empty, they can look inside and check out the condition of the walls and baffles. This is when lots of little problems are found so that they evolve into disasters. For instance, a broken baffle or deteriorating seal can be patched or replaced to save you from contending with an expensive emergency down the line.
Advice You Can Actually Use
Even after the cleaning is done, most pros will not just pack up and leave. They will provide you with tips on what you can do to keep your system in good working condition. That might mean reminding you not to flush wipes or advising you on how frequently to line up future pump-outs according to your household size.
They could also let you know if your system seems undersized for the number of people in your home or if your drain field is beginning to exhibit signs of overload. Those insights are worth having.
Schedule Septic Tank Maintenance Today
If it has been some time since you scheduled a maintenance call for your system, now is the time. Contact Pride of Tuscon to schedule your septic cleaning and inspection today in Tucson, AZ.