You need to make sure that your septic tank is in the best condition it can be, even the best built tanks need to be checked and repaired frequently to ensure they are operating at their best. The way to do this is to have your tank emptied regularly, getting rid of all the waste that has been collected, most of which is “sludge” that gathers at the bottom of the tank. You do not want a build of this “sludge” in your tank as it can have disastrous consequences not only for you and your home but you surrounding environment as well.
If there is too much sludge in your septic tank this reduces the capacity of the tank, meaning there is less space for the incoming waste and reducing the time it has to decompose. This therefore could push the waste into the pipes more than likely causing them to clog and bringing the whole system to a smelly stand still. A lot of sludge will also increase the likelihood of solids escaping from the tank and damaging the surrounding environment.
The frequency your tank needs to be emptied can depend on the size the type of construction, and the use to which it is put; different tanks require different frequency of pumping. It is recommended that you monitor when your septic tank was last emptied and the amount of sludge that was removed this will allow you to calculate when your tank will need to be emptied again. A more efficient owner is a more efficient tank.
Another factor that will also affect how often you need it emptied is the use of the system, if it is being used a lot then you will need to get it emptied more to ensure it does not overflow or breakdown.
If your tank does breakdown or leak it’s not a good situation for anyone, it can be a complete environmental disaster. As the contents in the tank are very harmful to the environment it can kill off the local wildlife. If your septic tank is by a stream or lake of some kind it can be even worse as if the waste water from your tank reaches it, the chemicals will promote the growth of algae which can block sunlight and taint the water, consuming all the oxygen which will inevitably result in the death of the animals in the water.
After reading all the above I’m sure you are now aware of the vital importance having your septic tank emptied the consequences can be very bad if you neglect your tank therefore you must make sure your septic tank is in full working order!
Company websites will be able to tell you more about septic tanks and septic tank emptying, and may even offer advice on how often you should get your tank emptied.