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Do I Need Septic Tank Cleaning if My System is Fine?

Many people think that their systems are running fine, but they don’t realize that significant problems develop slowly and without many signs – until they see big signs. Frequent maintenance and cleaning can help to increase the lifespan of your system, reduce problems, and ensure that everything stays just fine.

Schedule Septic Tank Cleaning Regularly, No Matter How Well the System Runs

For homeowners, septic cleaning and pumping should occur every three to five years, unless you live in a home with a large number of people or you know that you have a smaller tank. New homeowners should get their septic tanks cleaned and pumped regularly.

Business or commercial property owners should keep accurate records of all septic tank maintenance and ensure that there is regularly scheduled maintenance. Those accurate records can help to ensure that businesses don’t have problems that can lead to days off from work, lost business, and even a loss in reputation.

Avoid Backups and Other Issues with Routine Maintenance

Without proper cleaning and maintenance, backups and other issues are going to occur, it is all just a matter of time. When there is a backup, it is a nasty problem to solve and can take a lot of time and money. An expert technician will examine the system during the pumping and could catch other issues, like clogged or cracked pipes, before they lead to significant damage that is costly or difficult to repair.

Do I Call a Plumber or a Septic Company for Drain Cleaning?

If you believe that your problem is directly related to your septic system, you should call a septic company for repairs. Plumbers have great skills and expertise, but they are not equipped to handle some of the unique problems that face septic systems. Often, they don’t have the right tools to solve the problem, which can lead to delays in service for you.

Whether you have a known blockage or clog, or you simply cannot get water to drain, you should call a septic company first and foremost. It could be an issue with how waste enters or exits your tank, or it could be an issue with the pipes.

Plumbers only have the ability to diagnose the plumbing issues inside the house, and while they may be able to identify problems with your septic system, they likely won’t touch any component of the septic system as they are not familiar enough to diagnose or fix the problem.

How Does Drain Cleaning Work?

Often, the process will start as soon as you place a phone call to Ms. Rooter. The operator may be able to diagnose the problem over the phone based on what you tell them is happening. Even if that isn’t possible, the technician will visually examine the pipes and other components of the system to see what the problem is and determine a solution.

Our technicians have the best tools at hand to aid in drain cleaning. This often includes cameras, so that they can check the area in a non-invasive way. They will also use their years of experience to help determine appropriate solutions that keep costs down and prevent any further damage.

If the clog is resistant to the traditional snaking, hydro-jetting is an ideal option. This technique utilizes high-pressure water to blast away the debris. If the issue is related to either the tank or its components, septic companies may need to clean it out and perform any needed repairs quickly, to ensure that your system is functioning normally as quickly as it should.

How Do Septic Systems Work?

Septic systems handle a household’s used waste and greywater, or the water that goes down the drains in your home, in the kitchen, garage, bathroom, and any other rooms that may have sinks. Homes have a septic system when there isn’t a public sewer system available or a connection doesn’t make sense.

Septic systems work through a central pipe that takes the waste and water from the house and into the septic tank. Tanks can have one compartment or several. The waste and water flow into the tank through the inlet, where the baffle helps to push it down so that it naturally separates. Solid waste will move towards the bottom of the tank and eventually form a sludge layer. Fats and any toilet paper will float towards the top, forming the scum lawyer. In the middle is the effluent or liquid layer that leaves the tank through the outlet, whether it then goes into the drain field.

The Drain Field Allows Effluent to Settle Into the Earth

Once the effluent goes into the drain field, it goes through a series of pipes beneath the soil. These pipes have small holes that allow the water to seep out and spread through the ground without completely saturating it. Organic materials within the soil will help to clean it further and keep the ground safe.

A drain field is probably the most common setup for homes in Buford, GA, though there are also greywater recycling systems that can be hooked up. Older homes may even have a “soak pit” which is a deep pit covered in rocks or gravel.

Regular Septic Tank Maintenance and Septic Pumping Keep a System Running

Understandably, the layers of scum and sludge usually build-up over time, so septic systems and their pipes need to be cleaned regularly. Most of the time, a 3-5 year schedule is recommended, to keep the system running optimally, but certain homes may need more regular maintenance, particularly if the home has a garbage disposal or if a lot of people are contributing to filling the tank.

Will Septic Pumping Fix a Backup?

Sewer problems can be unpleasant, to say the least, but to have water and waste come back up the pipes and into your home can be downright devastating, as well as unsanitary. This is the type of emergency that causes people to pay extra attention to their septic system and ensure they get regular maintenance. There are three main reasons why a septic system will backup:

1. The septic system isn’t performing as it should. There is something wrong with one or more elements of the system. This could be something that has cracked or broken, or it could even be a tree root growing into the system.
2. The septic tank is full and causing the backup.
3. There is a clog somewhere in the pipes. This can be caused by any number of things, including a build-up of toilet paper, sanitary products, or even toys that get stuck in the pipes. Professionals can often help to eliminate the clog and get the system working back to normal.

It’s Best to Call a Buford, GA Septic Tank Expert

Backed up drains will cause a lot of damage and create very unsanitary conditions within your home. There are many reasons why the system might have a backup, this is why it is always advisable to call in a pro and have your system properly checked out and have any issues repaired as soon as possible. Call us today for more information.

Will a Septic Tank Service Solve a Smell?

Many people first know that they have a problem with their septic system when they start to smell something unpleasant. If this is your situation, you need to call for servicing as soon as possible. It is likely that you have a backup or some sort of leak that can be extremely dangerous.

If you notice a smell there can be a few culprits:

1. The first is that your vents are clogged. Septic system vents are typically located on the roof of a house and they allow natural cases to escape. You may be able to check your roof for these vents and clear them, but it is best to call a professional.
2. There is a lack of water in your drains. This might seem backward, but your drains need to have some water in the curve. This water stops the gasses from coming back up into the building. If you have sinks, toilets, or drains that you don’t use on a regular basis, you may want to periodically run water just to ensure there is some.
3. Toilets will loosen over time, and the gaskets and screws on them get general wear and tear. If you smell something, be sure to check the toilets to ensure they are secure.

Schedule Septic Tank Service To Resolve Smells & Other Problems

Although these are some of the most common and easily resolved issues, there are a lot of components in a septic system. If none of these steps fixed the problem in your septic system, it is a good idea to schedule a septic tank service call.

If you notice other problems, like water backing up, standing water in your yard, or you hear odd gurgling sounds from your drains, it’s important to schedule a septic tank service right away. Those are all signs of system failure and you’ll want the problem taken care of before any damage is done.