Taking care of waste is an ongoing action. It never seems to end, particularly if you have a large family that’s always on the move. Septic tanks are no different.
When learning about septic pumping, it’s important to become familiar with how it works. More common in certain states than others, keeping your septic tanks cleared takes a mixture of practice and awareness. When you’re a homeowner just starting out? It’s best to contact a septic service to make sure the job is done right the first time. Failing to properly clear out your tanks can have adverse effects on your health, among other things.
Before you look up septic tank treatment, consider looking below. Getting the hang of the process is just a matter of time.
How Many People Use Septic Tanks?
Septic tanks are rather common in certain parts of the country. According to statistics, one-quarter of homes in the United States use a septic tank system regularly. Not only are they a useful way of managing household waste, they have a relatively smooth learning curve. The average single family home will use up to 70 gallons of water per person every day. How much this changes depends on your household size, lifestyle, and septic tank.
Do I Need To Pump My Tank Often?
Pumping your septic tank shouldn’t be done too often. Recent data from the EPA states more than four billion gallons of wastewater are dispersed below the ground every day. The four factors that affect how often you’ll pump are the number of people in the home, the size of the septic tank, the volume of solids in the water, and the amount of water generated. Calling a septic tank service to handle the first few times can save you some much-needed stress during the workweek. They’ll also spot any clogs before they spin out of control.
Why Do Septic Tanks Become Clogged?
One of the most frustrating parts of managing a septic tank is seeing it become clogged. The most common elements that get in the way of an easy pump, unsurprisingly, has to do with the garbage disposal. Using this just a few times per week can significantly increase the amount of solids in the septic tank, by as much as 50%. Hard solids and oils have the hardest time being flushed out at the end of the day. Consider tracking how much wastewater you’re generating so you can better determine when to pump your tank.
How Much Water Am I Wasting?
As stated above, billions of wastewater are generated on a daily basis. Your average septic tank should be large enough to hold two days of wastewater, which is also how long it takes for solids to finally settle. If you’re still getting clogs, it’s possible you’re exceeding your water limit or using the garbage disposal too often. In general, a four-person and two-bedroom house should have a 1,000 gallon tank at the minimum. Septic tank treatment Chicagoland can help you figure out numbers so you can return to business as usual.
What Else Should I Know About Septic Tanks?
Not all septic tanks are designed the same. Some are larger to accommodate an exceptional house size, while others are only pumped by a local septic tank service. Keep in mind the state of Illinois requires all piping more than five feet from a building’s foundation be considered part of the septic system, as long as it’s for moving waste water. This will make sure your home is lined up with local regulatory standards. Septic tank treatment may not sound easy now, but it’ll become second nature soon.
Make sure the job is done right. Talk to a septic cleaning service and ask them how you can make the process more efficient.