Some plumbing systems are connected to city sewer lines that take wastewater to treatment plants where it’s decontaminated and released for reuse. Others rely on septic systems. With a septic system, instead of wastewater going to local treatment plants, it’s sent to an onsite septic tank where it’s stored underground and processed naturally.
Most of the time, septic systems work quietly in the background, effectively doing their jobs without their owners needing to give them much thought. Still, they require a certain amount of upkeep. An important aspect of septic tank maintenance is professional inspections. Routine inspections can help prevent septic backups and many other issues while ensuring the system lasts as long as possible.
How Do Septic Tanks Work?
As mentioned, septic tanks treat wastewater naturally. As they collect wastewater, they allow it to separate into different layers. Heavy solids sink to the bottom whereas lighter solids float to the top. The middle layer mainly consists of contaminated water, and it seeps out of the septic tank into the surrounding leach field. There, it filters through the soil and ultimately returns to the groundwater supply. Along the way, contaminants are removed, which makes it safe for people and the environment.
Bacteria in the septic tank gradually break down many of the solids that are left behind. Some of those solids can’t be broken down, though. They slowly build up in the septic tank and need to be pumped out from time to time. Otherwise, they can cause serious problems.
Why Are Septic Tank Inspections Important?
Septic tank inspections are important for several reasons. Though septic systems are built to handle constant constant use and capable of lasting anywhere from 20 to 40 years, they’re not invulnerable to problems. Clogs can form because of the solids that build up in them. They can cause backups. At the same time, cracks may form in septic tanks, and the pipes leading to them may sustain damage.
Those are only a few of the developments that may arise with a septic system. When they do, they can lead to foul odors, sewage backing up into homes and businesses, extensive property damage, contaminants entering the water supply, and other issues. You can’t see those problems at first because they’re underground. By the time their warning signs appear, it’s too late to be proactive. Inspections can help catch those problems early before they have a chance to grow out of control and cause more significant damage.
How Often Should Septic Tanks Be Inspected?
Experts recommend having a septic system inspected every one to three years in general. That varies based on several factors, though. Those include the size of the tank, the age of the septic system, how many people are using it, and how much water they use. A business or large household is likely to require more frequent inspections than a home with only one or two occupants.
What Happens During a Septic Tank Inspection?
During a septic tank inspection, a highly trained professional will begin by finding your tank and uncovering it. From there, they’ll measure the amounts of sludge, scum, and relatively clear wastewater in the tank. Your inspector will check the flow of water coming from your home or business to the tank as well to ensure the pipes and the tank’s entry points are working properly. Inspectors also look at the drain field surrounding the tank to ensure water is flowing through it correctly and make sure the tank itself isn’t damaged.
Keeping Your Septic System Working Properly
For most home and business owners, septic systems are essentially out of sight and out of mind. If they start giving trouble, though, they quickly become a point of concern. Professional inspections can help keep that from happening. After an inspection, you’ll get a report that details your septic system’s condition and any measures that need to be taken to resolve developing problems. Though inspections cost money, they’re a minimal investment when compared to the problems they can prevent.
