SEPTIC TANK Maintenance

With a typical plumbing system, waste and gray water from washing machines, sinks, toilets, and other drains flow through the property’s pipelines until they connect with the local sewer line. From there, the waste moves to water treatment facilities to break down the waste. Rural homes or properties that don’t connect to the main sewer line won’t access the municipal wastewater treatment center. Instead, the waste moves from the house into septic tanks located on the property. The tanks are usually underground with a lid about 12 inches beneath the surface of the land. Inside the tank, sewage separates into three layers: solid, scum, and liquid. The sludge usually sinks to the bottom, while scum floats on top of the liquid layer in the middle.

The natural bacteria inside the septic tank will break down the sludge and scum levels, turning them into liquid. When enough liquid accumulates inside the septic tank, it will flow through the main pipe that breaks off into several smaller lines leading into a drain or leach field. The drain field area, also on the property, contains other bacteria that will decompose hazardous viruses and bacteria as the wastewater seeps into the soil. Soil, rocks, and minerals act as natural filters so that the water is treated after leaving the tank and seeping into the drain field. The scum layer left in the tank will continue to accumulate because the bacteria can’t break everything down. That’s why septic tank cleaning is necessary.