Septic tanks have colonies of bacteria that work nonstop to break down the waste materials in your home. The liquids and gases that remain make their way to the drain field, where they dissipate into the soil.

Keeping up with tank cleaning is vital to the longevity of your septic system. This article will cover the basics of Septic Tank Cleaning. Contact Septic Tank Cleaning Perth now!

Signs That You Need to Have Your Septic Tank Cleaned

Your septic tank is one of the most important parts of your home, but it’s also something you don’t think about often. Regularly pumping your septic tank can help you avoid expensive repairs and keep your home healthy. Here are five signs that you’re due for a septic tank cleaning.

Foul Odors

The most obvious sign that your septic tank is overdue for pumping is foul odors throughout your home and yard. These odors are caused by the gasses that are produced from decomposed waste in your septic tank. If you’re noticing this smell, contact a septic tank professional right away.

Foul odors may also be present in your drains and toilets. If you notice that your toilets and sinks are slow to drain, this is another clear sign that it’s time for a septic tank cleaning. The odors can be caused by a clog or overflow in your pipes, but it’s most likely that they are due to a full septic tank.

Pools of water in your yard near your septic tank and drain field indicate that your septic tank is overflowing and needs to be cleaned out. This can cause sewage to back up into your drainfield and into your home.

Your septic system has an effluent filter and baffle to remove solids from the liquid flowing into your house. If these parts are clogged, it can cause the sewage to flow into your house and expose you and your family to disease-causing germs. You should check the filters and baffles for blockages, especially if you’ve had your septic tank pumped recently.

Gurgling Sounds

Like your stomach when you’re hungry, gurgling noises in your plumbing are a sure sign that your septic tank is full and needs to be pumped. These noises are caused by air and waste trying to escape the septic tank through the vent pipe or other plumbing connections.

Sludge is a compound made up of inorganic solids that build up in the bottom of your septic tank. When it becomes too thick, it will overflow into the drain field lines. During septic tank cleaning, professionals will agitate the sludge with mechanical devices to break up and disperse it. This will make room for more wastewater to enter the tank and flow into the drain field lines.

Lush Green Grass

If you have a lush green patch in your yard that isn’t getting any sun or rain, it could be a sign that your septic tank needs to be cleaned. This is because the area directly above your septic tank and drain field is saturated with sewage. If you do not have your septic tank pumped soon, the problem will spread to the rest of your lawn and could cause sewage backups in your home.

A septic system is an underground wastewater treatment structure used in areas without centralized sewer systems. Wastewater from your sinks, showers and toilets flows into the septic system, where it is separated into floatable matter (oil & grease), solid waste, and liquid wastewater. The liquid wastewater then flows into a series of perforated pipes, chambers or other units buried in the soil to slowly release the effluent into the ground.

The septic system is also designed to break down any remaining solid waste through the use of bacteria. To keep the bacteria in your septic tank healthy, be sure to only flush septic-safe toilet paper and human waste. Anything else, such as cleaning products or other items that claim to be “flushable,” can kill the bacteria and make it more difficult for your septic tank to break down solid waste.

Another reason you may need to have your septic tank cleaned is if the septic tank is full or overflowing. Overflowing is a serious issue that can lead to sewage backups into your home and can be dangerous for you and your family.

If your septic tank is overflowing, you should contact a septic tank professional immediately. They will inspect the septic tank and drain field to determine if there are any issues that need to be addressed. They will also advise you on how to care for your septic system going forward so that it lasts as long as possible.

You may also notice that your sinks or toilets are slowing to drain or seem to be struggling with flushing power. This is a clear indication that your septic system is working harder than usual to handle the waste in your home and may be overflowing or clogged.

Sewage Backups

When sewage backs up into your sinks, tubs, and toilets, it is more than just an annoying inconvenience. It’s also a sign that your septic tank is full and in need of cleaning. Sewage is riddled with harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can make you sick and lead to long-term damage if it isn’t properly dealt with.

It’s important to understand the underlying causes of sewage backups and why they occur so that you can take proactive steps to prevent them. This is especially true if you live in an older home with a septic system that’s overdue for an emptying.

Unlike sewer lines, septic tanks contain natural colonies of microorganisms that work nonstop to break down the waste deposited into them. These microbes convert the solids into liquids that join the flow of effluent and gases that eventually disperse through your leach field or soil.

Over time, however, those colony of microbes may begin to lose their strength due to lack of regular maintenance. When this happens, the bacteria in your septic tank can no longer keep up with the waste that needs to be processed. This results in a clog in the inlet baffle, which is the opening that separates the household waste from the septic tank.

The inlet baffle can be unclogged by using a drain snake to break up any solids or flushing large amounts of toilet paper. It can also be prevented by only using septic safe products and having your septic system inspected and cleaned annually.

Having your septic tank emptied and cleaned on a regular basis is the best way to prevent these sewage backups. However, if you aren’t sure when your last tank was emptied or don’t have a schedule in place, consider asking the previous homeowners or scheduling an appointment with a septic tank service professional. With proper care, your septic system will continue to serve your family for years to come.

Odors

There are many possible causes for bad odors coming from your home, including an overflowing toilet or clogged drain. But if the septic tank itself is the source of the smell, it’s time to have it cleaned.

Your septic system contains microbes that digest waste solids. When these microbes aren’t working correctly, a strong hydrogen sulfide gas odor can be emitted into your home. The odor is similar to the smell of rotten eggs, and it can be quite unpleasant.

Hydrogen sulfide is produced when the microbes in your septic tank break down the organic waste, but they cannot fully do their job without proper maintenance. A septic system that is well-maintained with regular inspections and pumping should not produce any odors.

If you have good septic system maintenance and the smell is still present, the problem is likely with your septic tank’s distribution trenches. These are the pipes that carry the liquid parts of the septic tank, grease trap, and greywater tank to the ground on your property. Suppose you notice that these areas of your yard are always wet or have grass growing prolifically. In that case, it may indicate that the septic distribution trenches are saturated, blocked, or failed altogether.

Another possible cause for septic odors is a blockage in the septic system’s vent stack. These are the pipes that send the gases from the septic system into the air, and they’re important for keeping your house clean and free of odors. However, the septic system vent stack can become jammed with debris like leaves, which prevents the gases from being released. A professional can help unblock this vent stack and restore a healthy flow of sewage to your home.

You can also reduce the risk of septic odors by only flushing human waste, toilet paper, and kitchen and bathroom trash. Never flush items like paper towels, feminine hygiene products, cigarette butts, or pet waste. Avoid pouring fats, oils, coffee grounds, cleaning products, paints, and other chemicals down your drains as they can disrupt sewage breakdown.

If you’re struggling with septic odors, consider hiring a plumbing service that offers septic tank cleaning and other services, such as inspections, repairs, and septic tank pump-outs. These services can effectively eliminate septic odors and prevent costly septic system emergencies.