Understanding Septic Tank Cleaning
Many people use septic tank pumping and cleaning interchangeably. However, there is a striking difference between the two, and both processes are essential for a fully functional septic tank. Here are a few facts about septic tank cleaning.
Is Septic Tank Pumping and Cleaning Different?
Septic pumping involves inserting a giant hose in the septic tank. This process aims to suck up liquids and solids floating in the tank. This helps create space and keep sludge from settling at the bottom of the tank.
Septic cleaning is like septic pumping, but while pumping sucks out solid and sludge at the top of the tank, cleaning drains all the water and everything stuck at the bottom. Many homeowners believe that pumping is enough to keep their septic tanks effective. However, it should also be cleaned for your septic tank to run well.
Why Should You Clean Your Septic Tank?
It is necessary to have your septic tank cleaned after pumping it. This helps you extend the lifespan of the tank and avoid expensive repairs. Cleaning your septic tank also helps prevent overfills for a longer period of time. This additional service is necessary if you have a large household because your tank may fill faster than in small households.
What Factors Affect Septic Cleaning?
Some factors that affect septic tank cleaning include infrequent cleaning, invading roots, and access lid size. Septic tank cleaning is also crucial for tanks with dividing walls. If your tank isn't cleaned regularly, the sludge becomes thick and hard to remove. The professional has to add extra water to the tank or use a high-pressure water nozzle to remove solids.
Another reason to clean your septic tank is because of invading roots. These heavy roots are entangled with solids and remain in the tank. The access lid size is another factor affecting septic tank cleaning. If it is a few inches wide, the vacuum truck hose cannot reach the far ends of the tank. Therefore, the tank needs to be cleaned after it is pumped.
Lastly, tanks installed decades ago have two compartments. Many homeowners aren't aware that their tanks have dividing walls. These walls aren't watertight. The professional may pump out the liquids the tank holds but leave solids in the compartment that aren't removed. Determine whether your tank has dividing walls by establishing when it was designed. If your tank has dividing walls, you should have it cleaned immediately after pumping.
Speak to septic cleaning services to learn more.