If your drains start to back up or take a long time to flush, it’s probably a sign that your septic system is overdue for pumping. Septic Service Fresno helps your drains function properly and reduce the risk of expensive repairs down the road.
Maintaining your septic system includes regular inspection and maintenance, choosing septic-friendly cleaners and fixtures, and avoiding improper disposal of sewage, such as cigarette butts, grease, diapers, and wipes.
A well-functioning septic system adds considerable value to your home and can be an attractive feature for prospective buyers. However, neglecting routine septic tank pumping can put your entire household plumbing system at risk. Sewage can back up into toilets, sinks, and bathtubs if the septic tank is overloaded with solid waste. Regular septic tank pumping can prevent this and extend the lifespan of your septic system.
Professional septic tank services offer the peace of mind that comes with knowing a trained team is managing an important aspect of your house’s plumbing. If you choose to hire a contractor, make sure they are a licensed and insured company that has extensive experience with septic systems. Avoid the temptation to cut corners by taking a DIY approach. It may save you some money upfront, but the cost of inexperienced labor can be far greater in the long run when it comes to costly repairs and replacements.
As part of a thorough septic tank service, the technician will check your septic system for any signs of wear and tear. This can help prevent expensive repairs in the future and allow you to extend the life of your septic system.
Regular septic tank pumping is also essential to reduce the buildup of gunk in your septic system, which can block drain lines and cause odors throughout the home. It is easy to prevent this buildup by avoiding the use of non-biodegradable products in your household, such as feminine hygiene products, diapers, paper towels, and grease. It’s also a good idea to stagger washing machine loads and only use energy-efficient laundry detergents.
In addition, the septic tank can be damaged by pesticides, pharmaceuticals, antibacterial soaps, solvents, and gasoline. These chemicals can poison the bacteria in your septic tank and disrupt the process of wastewater disposal. It’s important to educate everyone in your household about the importance of sound septic system operation and maintenance practices.
At Circle J Septic, we always pump septic tanks through the manhole or maintenance openings. This ensures that we have complete access to the tank and can thoroughly inspect and clean it. It’s also a more efficient process that ensures we are fully emptying the tank each time.
Extends the Life of Your Septic System
A well-functioning septic system contributes to the health and comfort of your family, making it one of the most valuable elements of your home. When you neglect routine maintenance, however, you risk expensive repairs and replacements that can eat into your budget. Regular septic tank pumping and periodic inspections prevent issues from building up to critical levels, extending the lifespan of your drain field and saving you money over time.
Septic systems vary in lifespan depending on usage patterns, the volume of wastewater handled by your household and how waste is disposed of. Water conservation practices such as using low-flow fixtures and spacing out laundry loads can significantly reduce strain on septic tanks, helping them stay functional for longer. Avoiding the disposal of non-biodegradable materials like paper towels, cooking oil, pet feces and other contaminants will also reduce strain on your system.
Solid waste accumulates in septic tanks, with heavier materials settling at the bottom and lighter materials floating to the surface. Eventually, these solids will make their way into the drain field, where they can cause blockages and slow wastewater flow. Septic tank pumping removes the excess solids to keep your tank functioning at peak capacity and minimizing potential damage.
As septic system solids float to the surface, they create unpleasant odors that can be difficult to eliminate. Getting your septic tank pumped regularly eliminates these odors and keeps your home and yard clean, healthy and smelling great.
Regular septic tank cleaning and pumping services also reduce the scum and sludge buildup in your drain field. This prevents overflowing and clogs that can be extremely costly to repair or replace.
Ultimately, the best benefit of professional septic tank cleaning and pumping is peace of mind. Professional technicians have the training and equipment to properly clean your septic system and ensure that it functions as designed. In addition to cleaning and pumping, septic tank services include inspections that identify cracks, leaks and other signs of wear.
When you choose to rely on the professional care of your septic system, you’re investing in the condition and value of your home. A dependable, efficient septic system adds value to your property and makes it more attractive to prospective buyers.
Prevents Clogs and Backups
In addition to extending the life of your system, regular septic tank pumping prevents costly clogs and wastewater backups. Blocked septic systems can cause diseases, and sewage that backs up into your home can damage your property and contaminate the environment.
When wastewater flows into your septic tank, solid waste settles at the bottom while lighter materials float to the top. If the tank fills with solid waste, it can overflow into your drain field and clog or block the leach lines that carry wastewater to the soil bacteria.
A septic tank pump is a small electrical water pump that is installed either in the final septic tank chamber or in a separate pump sump after the septic tank. The pump is activated by a float switch and when the septic tank fills with wastewater, the float switch rises and triggers the pump to turn on. When the tank is empty, the float switch lowers and turns off the pump. The pump also removes sludge from the tank and keeps it from transferring into the drain field.
Float switches and pumps need to be checked, cleaned, or replaced periodically. These switches and pumps are often located in the septic tank lid, but may be located in the basement of your home or in a pump pit at the end of the line from the septic tank to the drainfield. An effluent filter (also known as a bristle filter) should be installed in the pump chamber to protect the pump from fine solids that could clog or damage it.
It is recommended that septic tanks be pumped every 3-5 years, but your tank size and usage can alter the frequency needed for routine maintenance. Factors that influence the tank size include a family’s water consumption, garbage disposal use, and whether or not any non-biodegradable products are flushed down the toilet.
One of the most common warning signs that your septic tank is full or clogged is slow drainage in sinks, toilets, and showers. If you notice these problems, schedule a tank pumping immediately. Other warning signs that your septic system needs attention include foul odors in the home or yard, and pooling water near the drainfield.
Increases Your Home’s Value
Whether you are planning to sell your home in the near future or not, getting your septic tank pumped is an excellent way to increase its value. The process ensures that a prospective buyer will be confident in the home’s wastewater system, which is a major consideration in buying any property.
When your septic system is properly maintained through routine pumping, it ensures that harmful substances do not seep into the groundwater or surface water sources. This protects your family, pets, and the environment. The regular removal of sludge also allows the septic system to function efficiently and reduces the risk of sewage overflow or damage to plumbing fixtures and components.
Without regular septic tank pumping, solid waste and scum build up in the septic system, which causes foul-smelling odors inside and outside the home. This can cause health problems for the household members and may even attract pests and insects. Regular septic tank pumping removes these contaminants and eliminates odors, making your home a more pleasant living environment for everyone in the house.
A well-maintained septic system is an attractive selling point for potential buyers, especially in areas where municipal sewer connections are limited. Homebuyers appreciate that a septic system offers numerous benefits, including lower utility costs and greater independence from public wastewater treatment systems.
Properly-maintained septic tanks that are sized correctly for the house offer additional advantages, such as energy savings and increased property values. A septic tank that is too small for the property can lead to overflow, which is dangerous and expensive to clean up. It’s also important to keep septic tank records for any potential mortgage lender as part of the homebuying process.
A well-maintained septic system will provide you and your family with many years of reliable service. To make the most of your investment, be sure to schedule routine septic tank pumping and inspection services, upgrade an older septic system when necessary, and maintain accurate maintenance records. These steps can help you avoid costly repairs and keep your septic tank and septic system in good condition for decades to come.