Myths and facts about taking care of septic tanks
I work for a company that cleans septic tanks, so I hear a lot of myths about how they work. Some myths seem to have some truth to them, while others are very wrong. After working in the septic tank cleaning business for a long time, I want to talk about the myths and facts about septic tanks. You might know some of the myths about taking care of a septic system, but you might not know others. We hope this article will clear up some of the misconceptions or confirm what you may already know.
Most likely the most important septic problem I hear about how often a septic tank needs to be pumped out or cleaned. First of all, the idea that the septic tank never needs to be cleaned is a myth. The only thing a septic tank does is hold waste. Water from a septic tank usually flows out into a drain field, while solids stay in the tank and sink to the bottom, turning into sludge over time. Over time, that sludge will rise up to the inlets and outlets, so it will need to be pumped out. If the sludge isn't cleaned up, it could get into the drain field and/or the house. If the sludge gets into the drain field, it will clog the lines and lead to expensive repairs.
Several times, People tell me that the tank has never been cleaned or that it hasn't been cleaned in a long time. Even though there may not be any obvious signs, I can assure you that damage is being done. Unfortunately, if someone calls us after their system hasn't been maintained or it's been a long time since it was cleaned, the septic tank technician will find that the drain field is clogged with sludge and can't do its job of taking in water. It has been shown that a drain field can last a very long time and be very reliable if the septic system is well taken care of. That's why it's important to pay attention to the main thing!
A very common myth (which is often told on TV) is that adding over-the-counter additives to the septic system will keep it clean and eliminate the need to clean the tank itself. All of these additives do the same thing: they break down solids in the septic tank. This makes the tank hold more water, which in turn makes it harder for the drain field to pull water from the main tank. This can cut the life of a drain field by a huge amount. The "life" is at least 15 years, but a well-kept field can last much longer.
Lastly, there is a myth about whether chemicals like bleach, medicine, detergent, and different types of disinfectants can hurt a septic system or not. Simply put: Yes. The chemicals in question do clean. Most medicines end up in the ecosystem around them, which is bad for the environment. The normal bacteria that break down solids in a septic tank are killed by the other chemicals, like bleach and disinfectant. It's best to keep the number of chemicals going into the septic system to a minimum. Better yet, it's best to have a separate septic system for the washing machine so that detergents and bleaches don't get into the main system.
It's important to clean a septic tank the right way if you don't want to spend thousands of dollars on a new drain field. All of these myths are proven to be false because, once again, a septic tank is just a holding tank. It does, and will continue to need to be cleaned out from time to time. So, depending on how many people use the item, it might need to be cleaned every three to six years.
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