Out of sight, out of mind, right? Well, not quite – especially if you have a septic tank. The worst thing any homeowner can do is ignore their septic system. If something were to happen to your septic tank and it would either burst, spring a leak, or just back up, you could be out thousands of dollars with cleanup costs, repair costs and even replacement costs. Simply scheduling a regular septic tank inspection can save you tons of money, in the long run, by catching potential problems before they become large catastrophes.
This article from EzineArticle.com explains everything you need to know about septic systems.
A septic tank is essentially just a large, often plastic (older models may be concrete or steel), holding tank used for household water waste storage. When the tank is filled, it will need to be drained in one of three ways: by being pumped out, having bacteria or chemicals added that will break down and destroy the waste, or by allowing it to be drained into the soil through a leech field. But, like any system, your septic tank will slowly wear down. Because of this, preventative maintenance becomes a huge issue. And since septic tanks are underground, it is often hard to tell when it is time for regular maintenance, so scheduling regular septic tank inspections and replacement assessments is very important.
Even if you your tank uses a leech field or you use additives to break down waste, you should still have your tank pumped on a regular basis (every 3 to 5 years) to allow service technicians to inspect the system for maintenance issues. This inspection should include a visual check of the tank, connectors, pipes, leech field, baffles (or lids), drainage, and interior. There are tests that field service agents can perform to test the function of the tank itself, like adding dye to the water to test for leaks.
Even with proper maintenance, your tank will still break down over time. But the more attention you give it, with regular inspections and assessments, the longer your septic system will last.
If you have any questions, contact Mahon Plumbing by clicking here today!