What Is Septic Pumping
Septic pumping involves removing the sludge and scum from the bottom of the tank. This waste is hazardous to your health and must be disposed of properly. The remaining liquid waste is returned to the tank if there is room. If not, it will be disposed of in an approved manner on a nearby property that environmental regulators have properly permitted.
Septic systems are an efficient and affordable way to handle household waste, but they require septic service. As part of your septic system maintenance plan, you should schedule regular tank pumping to remove solids and other waste that can cause problems. Here's why regular septic pumping is so necessary.
Septic tanks use natural processes to break down the solid waste so that liquids can be safely filtered through the soil instead of being sent directly into the groundwater. Solids sink to the bottom and float to the top in a properly functioning tank, while liquids stay in the middle.
However, these solids will accumulate over time and can eventually block the pipes that connect your home to your septic tank or drain field. If this happens, it can lead to backups inside your home or blockages in your drainage pipes.
To prevent these problems, any excess sludge needs to be removed regularly. The frequency with which you need to have this done will vary depending on a few factors:
- How many people live in your home
- The amount of solid waste you produce (for example, kitchens generate more solid waste than bathrooms)
- Whether or not you use garbage disposals (which introduce more solids into the septic tank)
