Septic Tank Cleaning Perth is a vital part of a home’s wastewater treatment process. Without it, the septic system may experience severe issues. These include sewage backups, which can cause serious damage and pose health risks.
A septic tank is filled with bacteria that continuously breaks down solid waste materials. These microorganisms then convert them to liquid effluent that trickles through the drain field into the soil.
A clogged septic system can create problems for your household. Sewage backups, slow drains, and foul odors can all signal that it’s time to call in the pros. These clogs can be caused by the build-up of solid waste or foreign objects in the septic tank, lines leading from the septic tank to the drainfield, or the main sewer line that connects the home to the septic system.
A septic system is a complex ecosystem of bacteria that help to break down the waste that enters the system from your home. While it’s designed to handle a lot of what we put down the drains, it cannot deal with everything. Items that don’t degrade quickly such as paper towels, wet wipes, coffee grounds, and feminine hygiene products put a strain on the system and can clog the pipes.
While there are a number of DIY life hacks and at-home solutions that can offer temporary relief for septic tank clogs, these methods often don’t address the underlying issue. It’s important to note that a septic system is a dangerous environment, so it’s important to call the professionals for professional service.
Persistent or reoccurring clogs, foul odors, and multiple affected fixtures are all signs of a more severe problem that needs to be addressed immediately. These clogs can also lead to overflowing or backups in the home, which puts your family’s health at risk and could result in costly repairs.
To check the septic tank for a blockage, a pro will insert a device called a Sludge Judge into the septic tank and push it down to the bottom of the sludge layer. This will allow them to see the sludge level and determine the best course of action.
There are a variety of preventative measures that can be taken to avoid septic tank clogs. Regular septic tank pumping will ensure that solid waste is removed regularly and keeps from building up inside of the pipes. Keeping a strict limit on water usage will also help to prevent overuse that can overload the septic system and lead to clogs and overflowing.
Foul Odors
If septic tank odors are wafting throughout your home, it could indicate that your waste is not being digested properly. This can be a result of clogs or an issue with your septic tank itself. If you’re experiencing this problem, you can get a septic tank pump-out to solve the issue. But this won’t be a permanent fix, and the odors will likely come back soon after.
Your septic tank contains microbes that work to break down the waste solids that enter it. These bacteria are dependent on a certain level of pH to survive and do their job. If the tank becomes too acidic, it will emit a strong hydrogen sulfide gas odor that smells like rotten eggs. You can help prevent this by never flushing non-organic waste items, including cigarette butts, feminine hygiene products, coffee grounds, oily cooking waste, and baby wipes. You can also add a cup of baking soda to your sink or toilet drains once a week to help maintain the correct pH level in your septic system.
Foul odors are more likely to occur in the summer, when temperatures are warmer and the septic tank is at full capacity. These odors are vented outside of the house through a septic vent stack, which is typically installed on the roof of the home. If the septic tank vent is blocked, it will cause the foul smells to escape inside the house through toilets and sinks. You can avoid this by having the septic tank vents checked regularly, and repairing or replacing any damaged parts of the ventilation system.
Septic odors can also be caused by insoluble solids that clog the drainpipes, which allows the sewage to flow into the septic tank without being broken down. You can prevent these clogs by always using a strainer or sieve when pouring insoluble waste items, such as coffee grounds, vegetable and fruit peels, and baby wipes. You should also avoid pouring solvents, cleaners, paints, and other chemicals down the drainpipes.
Septic odors can be caused by anaerobic bacteria that do not have enough oxygen to break down the solid waste in your septic tank. This can happen if you haven’t topped off your septic tank in awhile, or if there is a leak in the septic system itself.
Overflow
A septic tank that’s overflowing can be a big problem. It’s not only a health hazard and a major mess, but it can also cause damage to your property. Septic tank overflow can be caused by a number of things, including too much water usage, a blocked drain line or an overdue cleaning. Regardless of the cause, it’s important to understand how to identify and address this issue before it gets out of hand.
If your septic system is overflowing, you should call a professional immediately. They’ll be able to assess the situation and determine whether your tank needs to be pumped. However, there are a few things you can do in the meantime to ease the pressure on your septic tank. First, try to reduce your water usage. This means limiting the number of people showering at once, using the dishwasher and washing machine sparingly, and only flushing when necessary.
Another way to help your septic tank is to add 8 to 12-inches of mulch around the septic system, pipes and drain field. This helps to keep soil loose, which can prevent the septic tank from overtaxing and overflowing.
Overflows can also occur if the septic tank is too full to accept more wastewater. If this happens, sewage can seep out of the septic tank into the leach field. This sewage can then find its way to groundwater, surface water or marine water—where it causes disease and other issues in people, animals and plants.
One of the most obvious signs that your septic tank is overflowing is a foul odor. The foul odor is caused by hydrogen sulfide gasses produced by the breakdown of organic waste. These gases can be released into the air through the vents, but they can also find their way into your home through clogged drains and into the yard through the vent pipe.
You can check the level of your septic tank by looking at the scum and sludge layers. Generally, if the scum layer is within six inches of the preventative drain field or the sludge layer is 12 inches above the top of the tank, it’s time for cleaning.
Sewage Backup
If one or more plumbing fixtures are slow to drain or clogged, and others are working fine, it’s likely an issue with the septic system. This could mean a clog in the waste or soil stack (drain pipes from the sinks, bathtubs and toilets) or a clog further down in the absorption field. If the problem is only in one room, it might be a simple matter of clearing the clog in that fixture’s drain pipe.
If several rooms in the house are experiencing a sewer backup, it’s time to call a professional septic tank service provider. A septic system expert can inspect and repair the problem to prevent future sewer backups.
Strong sewage odors coming from a drain or toilet indicate that the septic system has a serious problem. The odors are created by methane, carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide gasses that form in the septic system as solid waste decomposes.
If a septic system isn’t cleaned regularly, these gases can build up and create a clog in the ventilation trap. This clog can cause the system to overflow and discharge liquid waste into the home.
A septic system that is overflowing or spilling sludge is a dangerous and toxic situation that should never be ignored. This can be a serious health hazard that exposes family members and guests to harmful bacteria and viruses.
Over time, heavy roots can invade a septic tank and become entangled in the sludge. These clogs are often impossible to clear with a septic pump hose. To avoid this issue, schedule regular septic tank cleanings, limit household water use and be mindful about what you flush down the drains.
A septic system that’s been neglected for too long may reach the end of its useful life and require replacement. Signs of failure include a wet and soggy soil surrounding the drainfield, spongy green grass in thick patches near the tank, and unpleasant odors in basement drains and toilets. By having a septic tank inspection and cleaning done on a routine basis, you can extend the life of your septic system.