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If you have a
private septic system it is important to remember to have the septic tank
cleaned on a periodic basis. Septic tank cleaning is necessary to protect
the leachfield from becoming clogged and damaged. Regular septic tank
cleaning is necessary to avoid very expensive leachfield (drainfield)
repairs or reconstruction. A leachfield can cost upwards of $20K to replace.
A septic tank
works by collecting the untreated household waste.
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As the waste enters the septic
tank the solids settle to the bottom to form sludge. Grease and other
light solids collect near the surface of the septic tank to form a scum. The
clarified effluent (liquid) that sits in the middle of the septic tank is
discharged from the septic tank to the leachfield.
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Septic tank
cleaning involves pumping the septic waste from the septic holding tank. The
frequency of septic tank cleaning is dependent upon the size of the septic
tank and the number of people in the household. For example, a 1250 gallon
septic tank with 5 people living in the house should be cleaned every 2.6
years.
The size of the septic tank is
dependent upon the septic design, which is derived from the number of
bedrooms and bathrooms specified in the house plans.
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Check your house plans or septic
design plans to see what size septic tank you have. By reviewing the septic
design plans you can also discover where the septic tank is located on
your property. Usually the top of the septic tank is buried several inches
to a foot or more under the surface of the ground.
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If you cannot locate the septic
design plans, do not assume you have a large septic tank and thus can wait
more years between septic tank cleanings. If you cannot find information on
the size of your septic tank, have your septic tank immediately cleaned and
ask the septic cleaner if they can determine the size of the tank for you
during the septic tank cleaning. Again, it is better to spend a little more
money regularly cleaning the septic tank, than having to replace a
leachfield.
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Photo by Mark Donovan |
Besides pumping out the septic
tank waste, a septic tank cleaning also includes a visual inspection of the
septic tank for any cracks or tree roots that may have grown into it. In
addition, the septic cleaner will also check to make sure that the septic
tank inlet from the house, and the outlet to the leach field, are free from
any obstructions.
So if your home
is on a private septic system make sure you schedule a regular septic tank
cleaning. By having a regular septic tank cleaning your private septic
system should be able to last 20 or more years without any additional work
or investment.
Other Septic System Information
Septic System Design and other Home
Plumbing Resources from Amazon.com
