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Buying your first home feels great. But with that good feeling now comes a whole laundry list of adult responsibilities. This is especially true if your home has a septic system because it requires care to continue to run well. Establishing a good pumping schedule is vital.
What Type of Tank Do You Have?
Your septic tank stores all the waste that leaves your home. These tanks are usually made out of concrete. Some older homes have steel models, but this material is no longer used because it can easily rust and can fall apart within 15 to 20 years. Polyethylene tanks are becoming more popular because they are cheaper, lighter, and easier to install, and they do not degrade from sewer gases since they are chemically inactive. But they can potentially float to the surface if the water table is very high or can warp under extreme soil pressure.
Tanks are also made of fiberglass. This provides an excellent middle ground because it doesn’t rust like steel, crack like concrete, or warp, but they cost more to install. Regular pumping is required no matter how your tank is made. The solid waste can build up so much that it will overflow and cause some nasty problems you certainly don’t want.
A Good Pumping Schedule
There are plenty of different opinions about how often you need to pump your tank. Some will say that you can wait a decade. This is a terrible idea. Waiting this long will allow all that solid waste to rise up inside your exit pipes and potentially create a blockage. Your drainage field can also get ruined.
The Environmental Protection Agency recommends pumping every three to five years. But the exact timing will depend on family size and water usage habits. Consulting with a plumber will be your best bet for figuring out a schedule that is best for your household.
The High Cost of Neglect
Neglecting to pump your tank can cost you dearly. Once the solid waste leaves your tank, it flows into your drainfield pipes and interferes with the soil’s ability to absorb wastewater. Then, the dirty water comes out into your yard and can even make its way into nearby rivers and streams. You can get fined for contaminating the environment.
You will also need a new drainfield. Paying for routine pumping is honestly a bargain compared to all this.
Stay ahead of the game to avoid all this trouble. Get established with a professional now so that you can protect your home and keep all this stress at bay. If you live in Greensboro, NC or a surrounding area and need septic pumping services, make your first call to Billingsley & Brooks Septic Tank Co.