subject: Living in Conyers, Septic Tank Pumping is Required [print this page] Are you planning on living in Conyers? Septic tank pumping and maintenance is a requirement if you have a septic system on your property. If you have never had a septic system before, you probably have many questions about the system, how it works and how to take care of it. Below you will find some common questions.
What is a Septic System?
A septic system is a self contained wastewater processing unit. Comprised of a septic tank, distribution box and leach field, the system takes the effluent exiting a house, processes it and provides a place for the liquids to filter back into the ground. Septic systems are not connected to public sewer lines.
How Does a Septic System Work?
When the effluent from your house drains out of your home, it exits through an outlet pipe. From there the effluent enters the septic tank. The tank may have one or two chambers.
If the tank has one chamber then the material enters the tank and over the course of several hours the solids settle to the bottom and the grease and fats accumulate on top. The liquids remain in the middle and are eventually released through outlet pipes to go to the leach field.
The tank has a full complement of digestive bacteria that destroy harmful substances in the waste to some degree. In a two-chamber tank, the liquids move into the second part of the tank before moving onwards. This decreases the likelihood of solids ever exiting the tank.
In the leach field the partially processed liquids continue to neutralize. Once they exit the pipes they begin to sink through the earth which filters and cleans the liquids until they are safe to enter the water table.
Why do we Have to Pump it Out?
Every few years the level of solids at the bottom of the tank, called sludge, gets too high and begins to interfere with the treatment process. If there isnt enough room for the liquids to sit in the tank for 24-30 hours, at least, then they dont get sufficiently neutralized by the bacteria in the tank.
Additionally, if the sludge is left in the tank too long it begins to solidify into a mass that requires a lot of effort to remove. The scum layer can build to a point where it enters the baffles and clogs them. A tank in this condition is likely to back up and flood the home.
How Often do we Pump out the Tank?
Most homeowners follow a two year cycle on pumping. The size of the tank, the number of people in the home and the amount of waste delivered to the system are also determining factors.
If you are uncertain when your tank was last pumped out, it is well worth having a septic service inspect your tank and let you know if it is time to have the work done. After the initial pumping you can arrange a schedule that is appropriate to your situation.
Living in Conyers, Septic Tank Pumping is Required
