Septic tanks require various types of septic system treatment in order to keep them in optimum working condition. This generally includes routine maintenance such as introducing good bacteria into the system and pumping the tank. Other types of septic system treatment must be done when there is already a problem due to a faulty system or improper maintenance. These methods can include pumping the entire tank and replacing parts.
The most common types of septic system treatment involve maintenance treatments used to keep the system in working order. This includes purchasing commercially developed products which contain large amounts of bacteria. The bacteria used feeds off human waste materials and helps keep the tank from getting too full or backed up. Other methods used in this category include running water as little as possible to keep the levels of waste low. Regular cleaning of filters at the drain fields are also recommended.
Other types of septic system treatment must be completed by a septic professional and are generally required to fix a problem that has occurred. Signs of a problem include water or sewage buildup at the drain fields, because this signals a clogged or full system. Treatment generally includes pumping the contents out of the septic tank using a large hose which pulls the sewage from the tank and into another tank located on the back of a truck.
In very severe cases, wear and tear may take a toll on the septic system and lead to holes or weak areas in the tank. When this occurs, the holes either have to be patched or the weak area must be replaced. Having a new system installed is quite pricey, and can usually be avoided with proper septic maintenance.
Regular septic system inspections are highly recommended to check for problems before they get out of hand. This not only saves homeowners money by alerting them to issues before expensive treatments are necessary, but it also helps to protect the environment. A poorly maintained tank or drain field can result in waste materials seeping into soil or water without being properly filtered. This can lead to contamination of the area’s water systems.
Using commercial products may help prevent septic system overload, but inspection every one to six years are still encouraged. In most cases, the tank will still need to be pumped within a certain time frame, even with the use of bacteria based products. The exact spacing between inspections or pumping will depend on how large the tank is, how many people are using water in the home, and how much actual water is drained into the tank daily.