Treatment And Cleaning Of Septic Tanks
Posted on: 7 December 2016
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If you aren't aware of all the ways that you can maintain your septic tank, the tank can feel like a ticking time bomb on your property. Septic tank maintenance and cleaning doesn't have to be such a mystery; here are some ways to be more in touch with your tank's condition.
Prevent Overflow by Treating the Tank
One thing that you can easily do to contain the sludge levels of your tank is treat it. The environment in your septic tank matters a lot for how quickly solids can be broken down. For example, if some of the bacteria that breaks down solids is killed off, your tank will stop processing solids quickly, and you might be dealing with an overflow soon. On the other hand, when the balance of bacteria is kept in good standing, your tank is able to break down solids and maintain excellent health.
Your behavior matters a lot in this process. Avoid flushing harsh chemicals down the septic drain, because they can kill off the bacteria that's present in the biomat and sludge layers. At the same time, you can be proactive about cultivating this good bacteria. One way is to use buttermilk cultures to add good bacteria to your tank. There are also several commercial septic treatment products that are designed to meet this balance. These are recommended by some septic tank professionals and advised against by others, so talk with your septic team about your specific septic tank before you add these treatment chemicals to your tank.
Schedule Septic Pumping in Advance
Another step to take is to have a good septic pumping schedule in place for your tank. It can be difficult to hold so many home maintenance tasks in mind, but regular septic tank pumpings are something that you don't want to accidentally forget. If you schedule your next septic cleaning appointment at the end of the current one, your septic team will help you remember your regular service appointments.
Occasionally Check Sludge Levels
You can also check the solid levels of your tank by yourself. You will need a specialized tool that's designed for septic tank probing. You stick the tool in the tank, and then you can read the sludge levels based on how high up they come on the probe. While it's not the most appetizing process, it's certainly better than having a septic tank that unexpectedly overflows.
Contact a company like River City Septic & Excavating for more help.