How Often Should a Septic Tank Be Pumped? By Amy Nutt At Isnare.com Ezine Articles

A septic system is an underground wastewater treatment system. These systems are used to treat and dispose of on-site household wastewater. When you use a septic system, there is maintenance required in order to keep your system running efficiently. One important maintenance procedure is having a septic tank pumped.

The septic tank is a waterproof box that is normally made of concrete or fiberglass. The tank contains an ‘enter’ and ‘exit’ pipe. Wastewater flows from the home to the septic tank through the sewer pipe. The waste is cleansed and clean water is sent to the underground water table.

How often a septic tank is pumped depends on the size of the tank. It is recommended that you clean your septic by having it pumped every 1 to 3 years. Many experts say that for a 1000 gallon septic tank, it should be pumped every 3 years. You also have to factor in how many rooms and the number of people living in the home. The more a tank is used, the shorter the period between pumping the tank.

When you have your tank pumped, you will be emptying it out, and therefore you will be getting rid of bacteria that consume the waste. You may want to get a box of 'starter' or activation bacteria and flush into down the septic pipes. They will thrive in the conditions once the pumped tank is in use again. It is important to never use products such as bleach, detergent, and other chemicals because it can damage the septic system as well as kill the bacteria. As well, do not flush foods such as fats, and oils which can also damage the system. Other larger and solid foods can cause blockage in your septic drain lines. You should never put anything in the drain line that can harm the environment.

Each septic system can hold a specific quantity of waste so it is important to make sure you are not exceeding the capacity by sending non essential substances through the septic drain lines. You should also practice water conservation techniques. Toilets are now available that are designed to use less water. They are more powerful and can flush everything usually once. You can also buy a water meter to measure your water use. If your sewage treatment system is reaching its maximum capacity, try to cut back on water use for such activities as washing clothes, dishes, running baths, and flushing the toilet too much. Check your pipes in the home on a regular basis to make there are no leaks and make sure your toilet is not constantly running.

Following a few easy maintenance tasks and having your septic tank pumped, you will preserve the septic system for many years. As well, using natural substances to treat waste water makes the system environmentally friendly. Having a septic tank replaced is extremely expensive so why not avoid the financial hardship by properly using and maintaining your septic system.

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