Crucial Information You Need to Know About Septic Tank Pumping In Virginia

Unless there is a problem with their system, most homeowners with a septic system on their property typically don’t give it much attention. If this describes your situation in any way, we would like to bring to your attention the fact that it is in your best interest, as a customer of the most reputable septic service company in the region, to become familiar with the warning signs that a tank has been filled beyond the permissible limit.

Being said that, let us ask you a million-dollar question. Do you know what the warning signals that your septic tank is full are? Regrettably, we are sure that if this question is asked to the public, most will answer “no”. It is sad but true. Virginia residents are still not fully aware of how to take good care of their septic systems.

However, there is no need to worry if you are uncertain about this. The specialists at Advantage Septic Service can assist you. Nevertheless, before we go any further, let’s take a moment to discuss what a septic tank is and how it operates.

Information On What a Septic Tank Is and How It Operates

Installing a septic tank might make handling the wastewater your household generates much easier. After entering the tank via the drain, the liquid wastewater rises to the top, while the more solid sludge settles to the bottom. This liquid sewage is gently directed and drained into a leach field.

Once the wastewater reaches the leach field, it is absorbed by the surrounding soil via perforated pipelines, where it is filtered and distributed before finally becoming groundwater. Hopefully, you will better grasp the topic of septic tanks and their operation now. So, let us return to our original discussion.

Signs of an Overloaded or Full Septic Tank

It would help if you realized that the stuff you flush down the toilet might affect the efficiency of your septic system. The drains commonly get clogged because people flush things that don’t biodegrade. Here are a few more telltale signs of a full septic tank that needs pumping or inspection.

1. You can’t flush your toilet, or it keeps backing up

If the toilets and drains in your house are draining slowly than usual, keep in mind that it may not be a simple blockage. Perhaps there is an issue with the septic system. It is one of the earliest warning signals that imply your septic system may need a Virginia septic tank pumping soon.

2. You hear a gurgling sound from your pipes or water drains.

When anything in the pipes blocks the flow of liquids, the air becomes trapped in the pipes causing a gurgling sound. However, please note that other factors, including a stopped drain or buildup of debris, hair, or paper in the pipes, may also cause this problem.

3. Green grass appears overnight in your yard.

Have you ever noticed a sudden growth of lush green grass near your septic tank that seems healthier than the surrounding grass? This may seem like an odd symptom of sewage backup and an indication that you need to pump your system.

4. Water begins to pool in your yard.

Are you experiencing standing water or other signs of overflow near your septic tank? In such cases, observe whether the water has a bad stench because the bad smell is the primary distinguishing feature between the wastewater and stagnant water pools formed by rain.

5. There’s a noxious odor in your house or yard.

Unpleasant smells might also indicate septic tank issues from drains or toilets in your house. This may occur if gasses are trapped because of a blockage in the ventilation system.

What Are the Steps Involved in A Septic Pumping Process?

When it comes time to do regular maintenance on your septic system, the procedure will typically consist of the five phases that are outlined below.

• Uncovering and opening the septic tank access lids is the first step.

The professionals at Advantage Septic Service will need to expose the tank access lid before they can conduct any maintenance on your system. If your system were constructed in the early 80’s, it would most probably have two distinct compartments. You may have to open both of these lids to access the contents.

The service staff will now remove the covers from your tank and go on to the next step. This may seem a straightforward undertaking. However, factors such as corrosion and ordinary wear and tear may make it rather challenging that you will be required to replace your lid in some circumstances.

• The second step is emptying your tank by pumping.

As the next step, all the liquids and sediments in your sewage tank are sucked out of the septic tank using a high-power hose linked to our vacuum vehicle. Although the force of the hose is normally sufficient to clear away all the trash and debris, there are certain situations in which the thick sludge and particles will still be left behind in the tank.

• In the third step, the tank will be cleaned out.

Your technician will use water to clean out the inside of your tank to remove most of the leftover sediments. This will assist in eliminating any trash that may still be there.

• The fourth step will include conducting visual inspections.

When the pumping and cleaning procedures for the septic system have been finished, our personnel will inspect the inside and outside the tank to look for any signs of root growth or damage. In addition to that, they will inspect the baffles and the separating wall in the septic tank.

• In the fifth step, the tank’s cover will be closed and reburied

Upon the completion of the inspection, the lid will be re-latched, and the space will once again be concealed. The majority of the time, septic tanks are placed at a depth of between six and twelve inches below the surface of the ground.

In the event that this is not the case, your specialist may recommend the installation of risers, which will make it simpler to get access to any future maintenance that may be necessary.

Important Reminders While Working on a Septic System

The following safety measures must be considered when working in the vicinity of a septic tank that is in use or being prepared for Virginia septic tank pumping.

1. You should never enter a septic tank from the ground level. Inhaling toxic gases like hydrogen sulfide can bring on unconsciousness almost instantly.
2. Do not smoke at the entrances of septic tanks since combustible gases may be present inside the tank.
3. Electrical tools and other equipment should never be used near water or on damp ground at any time.
4. If there is a strong stench of sewage gas or rotten eggs within the home, you should immediately vacate the premises and contact a professional to assist you with fixing the issue.
5. After working on any septic system component, thoroughly clean your hands and clothing with soap and water.
6. Before entering a house or any other structure, wash your clothing since sewage is quite acidic. Around the components of the tank, extreme caution is required.
7. Having a skilled, licensed, and bonded expert correctly execute the job is the most secure approach to completing repairs or maintenance on your septic tank.

Importance of Septic Tank Pumping

If you just bought the house, it is possible that the previous owner probably didn’t keep track of these details or give you access to them. Both of these scenarios raise the possibility that you have no idea how long it’s been since your septic tank was inspected.

Remember that the most prudent thing now is to arrange the service without delay. This is because sewage will overflow or back into your home if your septic tank is not inspected and pumped out as scheduled.

When is the Right Time for Pumping Out a Septic System?

We advise all our clients having a septic tank on their property to pump it out every 3-5 years. This step is crucial to maintain your septic system in top shape and lower the odds of a backup. The easiest method to determine whether your septic tank needs to be pumped out is to have a professional check it.

We suggest scheduling both procedures within the same visit for your convenience. However, it is essential to remember that the frequency of Virginia septic tank pumping will vary from one property to the next and will be influenced by the size of the septic tank and the number of people using it.

What Happens If You Ignore Septic Tank Pumping Completely?

The short answer to this question is quite evident. It will eventually fail. Thus, regular inspections are crucial. In addition, fixing the mess and getting it functional again would be very expensive. An overflowing septic tank is a threat to your family’s health. And until the cleaning is done, you have to endure the awful stench.

Also, remember how essential it is to develop good septic habits. If you have access to a municipal sewage system, you often dispose of almost anything in your sinks and toilets without much thought.

The inevitable result of such an idiotic action is a blockage in one or more of your pipes. However, your headache is over once you deal with the blocked pipe. From that point, what you just dumped into the sewage system becomes someone else’s issue.

Remember that owning a property with a septic tank completely differs from the one described above. You are responsible for your septic system’s blockages due to your careless behavior. So, always be cautious about what you put into the system. The fewer times you accidentally add anything that shouldn’t be added to the system, the less likely you need to contact us for a Virginia septic tank pumping.

As you might have guessed, you can save a lot of money on septic tank pumping if you take good care of it and be cautious about what you put into it. As a rule of thumb, you should let only human waste pass through your septic system for which it is built.

Putting other things such as used condoms, used sanitary pads, cigarette butts, and coffee beans are a few examples of things you should avoid putting into your toilet if you expect a good life expectancy from your septic tank. Now let’s explain what we meant by the life expectancy of a septic tank.

Life Expectancy of a Septic Tank

While looking at different septic tanks, one of the most crucial aspects is their expected lifespan. To clear up any lingering questions that our customers may have on this topic, we will go through the typical lifespan of each component that makes up a septic system.

A well-constructed concrete tank should have a 40-year lifespan. Although high-quality plastic tanks may endure up to 40 years, we have observed that steel tanks often collapse after 20 or so years.

The reliability of any given system may be affected by various variables. For instance, variables such as the soil type in which its constructed and how the system was built are beyond your control. However, if you properly care for your septic system, you may extend its useful life by years, if not decades.

For example, frequent pumping, water conservation efforts, and careful monitoring of what gets flushed down the toilet (no chemicals, paints, grease, food scraps, or other solids) are the most critical things you can do if you want to increase the life expectancy of your septic tank.

Most homeowners cannot help wondering about the answer to the question “what is the life expectancy of a septic tank?” when installing a septic system. As a leading septic service provider in your area, the septic professionals at Advantage Septic Service can perfectly understand this.

Generally, a standard septic system will last between twenty and thirty years. This industry standard of 20-30 years of service for well-planned, constructed, and maintained systems that are not overburdened is based on historical data.

Life Expectancy of the Drain Field

Typically, a septic system’s drain field will be the first part to give up. A drain field that is used will rarely last longer than one often utilized under normal conditions. For example, a three-bedroom system should last long if just two people live there using water-efficient appliances and fixtures and if they pump it often. However, you will cut a system’s lifespan short by flushing harmful chemicals, grease, and food waste down the toilet.

The drain field area should be safeguarded, too. Keep the soil from becoming saturated by diverting water from your yard and roof away from the drain field. There should be no parking or driving on top of the drain field or any other type of usage that might cause soil compaction. Also, maintain a safe distance from trees and big bushes while building a drain field since their roots might block the perforated drain pipes.

If you want to know more about Virginia septic tank pumping or have any other doubts about septic tank installation, maintenance, or repair, don’t hesitate to contact the professionals at Advantage Septic Service through the contact form available on our official website. We can guarantee that one of the professionals from our team will contact you soon and provide the necessary assistance.