Maintaining your septic system does not require much effort, increases the life of your system and can save you money. Annual inspections are recommended for the determination of when your septic tank needs to be pumped in addition to making certain everything is working correctly. Systems containing moving parts will require inspections more often. This will help eliminate the high expense of a system failure. A professional contractor will check the condition of your system while looking for cracked pipes. Keep reading as the experts at N.H. precast concrete explain more.
1. Locating the System: If your tank is buried, the inspector will look at the direction of the pipe going through the basement wall. The buried pipes are then located using an insulated probe outside.
2. Uncovering the Inspection Ports and Manhole: This will make future inspections easier but may require a little digging.
3. Checking Connections: You can determine if your plumbing is going through the system properly by running water and flushing the toilets.
4. Measuring the Layers of Scum and Sludge: The inspector uses special tools to measure the layers of scum and sludge. If the depth of the sludge is at least one-third of the liquid tank depth, your tank requires pumping. Septic tanks can produce toxic gases capable of killing in minutes. Inspections should always be performed by trained professionals.
5. Checking the Drainfield: The inspector checks the drainfield for potential failure, the tank walls for cracks, the condition of the tees or baffles and any pumps, drop boxes and distribution boxes.
The frequency of pumping is dependent on the tank size, the number of residents and the habits of the household. The pumping frequency can be impacted by garbage disposals, whirlpools and hot tubs. Hiring a licensed contractor is important because they will dispose of the sludge and have the correct equipment. You can find licensed haulers and pumpers through the local health department or the yellow pages. You should be there when your tank is pumped to ensure the manhole is used as opposed to the inspection ports.
This will prevent damage to the tees or baffles. All of the materials must be removed from the tank. Your tank will not need to be disinfected or scrubbed. The most important action you can take for protecting your system is pumping your tank. If the solids build up too high, they can end up in the drainfield. This can strain and clog your system requiring the installation of a new drainfield. You also need to ensure you have a detailed record of every inspection. This includes repairs, permits, pumpings and all maintenance performed on your system.
You should have a sketch showing the location of your septic system. This information will save you money and time during your service visits. Keep your sketch with your maintenance records. An annual inspection is an excellent means of monitoring the health of your system. An inspection often locates problems prior to them becoming serious. You will be able to accurately determine how often your tank needs to be pumped by checking the scum and sludge levels. You can protect your system from any potential damage by protecting the drainfield and tank.
Only plant grass near your system. The roots from trees and shrubs can damage your septic system. No heavy machinery or vehicles should be operated above any area of the system. The best cover for your drainfield is grass. You should perform proper maintenance and operation of your system including water conservation. You must make certain your system is not used for the disposal of anything harmful. Your septic system needs to be pumped regularly and inspected annually. You can ensure the development of good maintenance habits by educating your entire household regarding what is good and bad for the system.