Hidden Plumbing Problems: What to Look for

The Dirty Details Of Septic Systems

30 July 2019

Herbert Chambers

Let's face it: your septic tank is kind of gross. It's nothing personal. After all, it's the job of your septic system to be a little on the gross side. If you aren't hooked up to the city sewers, then your septic system is the final destination for all of your home's wastewater. This means that even a well-running septic system isn't going to be particularly pleasant, but septic tanks are designed to contain and control that waste while keeping it safely out of sight and mind. Septic systems need regular maintenance, however, and a septic tank that isn't routinely cleaned will quickly cause some pretty gnarly problems.

What's in the Box?

Your septic tank is really just a large, underground box, but it isn't filled with any fun surprises. Instead, your tank is a bit like a layover destination for the wastewater that is existing your home. Septic tanks are made of several different types of materials, but they are functionally all just large, watertight boxes with a single way in and a single way out. Waste that enters the tank naturally separates into three layers:

• Oils and greases that float on top of the water
• Liquid waste that contains small, suspended particles
• Heavy solids which sink to the bottom

The tank contains the grease and solids while allowing the liquid waste to exit to the drain field, where the gravel surrounding the pipes acts as a natural filter. Meanwhile, bacteria inside the tank break down the solids to keep them under control.

Your Septic Level Isn't What Matters

It's a common misconception that your septic tank will fill up and need to be emptied, but it's not the absolute level within the tank that matters. A tank actually has a set level which it should "fill" to quickly. This is necessary to allow the liquid waste to escape through the outlet pipe. The flow through the outlet pipe and into the draining field will keep the tank at its proper level, allowing it to be "full" even without creating any issues for you.

Of course, if that was the end of the story then septic tanks would never need to be cleaned. What makes cleaning a necessity is the buildup of sludge on the bottom and grease on the top. Excessive solids can cause the system to back up and overwhelm the bacteria that are supposed to break them down, making the problem grow worse much more rapidly. If this happens, backups can easily cause damage to plumbing in your house or in the drain field. Serious septic tank backups can even require present environmental hazards and require expensive clean-up efforts.

Timing Your Clean-Outs

You've probably heard the common wisdom that septic tanks need to be cleaned about once every three to five years, but why is the time range so vague? The reality is that septic tank fill rates vary drastically based on size and usage. One of the best ways to time your clean-outs is to begin by having your tank cleaned on the lower side of the range. If your technician indicates that the tank's solid levels were not approaching dangerous levels, then you can extend your cleaning interval slightly. If your solids were already approaching or above maximum, then you should schedule a shorter interval for your next cleaning.

For more information, reach out to a company like Economy Septic Tank Service. 

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