Clean Your Septic Tank Before It's Too Late!

 

The escalation in liquid waste generation over the past few decades has given rise to overlooked concerns, with one such area being septic tank maintenance. Before we move on to its procedures, functions, and benefits, let us understand what a septic tank is. 

 

Septic tanks play a vital role in separating solid waste from wastewater, allowing solids to settle at the tank's bottom. Constructed from materials like concrete, plastic, or fiberglass, septic tanks may exhibit varying designs and structures, yet their primary function remains consistent. Let us briefly go through the different parts of a septic tank system. 

 

1.     Inlet Pipe 

This is the first component of a septic tank system, and from the inlet pipes, wastewater from households, factories, manufacturing units, public restrooms, and other industries enters the septic tank.  

2.     Septic Tank  

This is the main component of the septic tank, where wastewater is temporarily stored. It is at this place that the separation of solids from liquids takes place. This process is also known as sedimentation. There are certain types of bacteria present in the tank that break down organic matter.  

3.     Baffles 

These are concrete structures present within the tank that help to direct the flow of wastewater. 

4.     Outlet Pipe 

This pipe carries the partially treated liquid fluid from the septic tank to the drains for further treatment. Once the solid particles settle at the bottom of the tank, the liquid portion gets clearer, and the effluent exits the septic tank via the outlet pipe. 

5.     Vent Pipe 

A vent pipe is used to allow gases to escape that may have been formed during the decomposition process. 

6.     Access Ports 

Also known as covers, these serve as entry points for inspection, maintenance, and the removal of accumulated sludge and scum.
 

Sludge and scum are integral concepts when discussing septic tanks. The top layer, containing lighter materials like fats, oils, and grease, is termed the scum layer. Meanwhile, the bottom layer comprises heavier solids known as the sludge layer, undergoing processes like anaerobic digestion and the breakdown of organic matter.

 

It is also important for us to know why there is a need for us to regularly get our septic tanks cleaned. It's possible for solid waste to keep building up at the bottom of your septic tanks if you don't clean them periodically. Septic tanks' capacity to treat waste would inevitably decrease as a result of this.  This allows for the discharge of untreated wastewater into the drain fields or grounds. The possible happening of wastewater overloading is further increased by a malfunctioning septic tank. These events will undoubtedly result in environmental contamination and hazards to public health. 

 

Do's and Don'ts while Managing Septic Tanks 

It must be also ensured that materials like non-biodegradable items, medicines, and grease are never dumped in septic tanks by taking the appropriate precautions. These substances damage the bacterial equilibrium in septic tanks because they include significant amounts of dangerous substances and chemicals. This may result in septic tank system failures, endangering both the environment's balance and human lives. It can also cause soil contamination, leading to crop failures.  

 

Unlike other cleaning methods, this procedure requires specialised knowledge and can only be executed by qualified experts. For septic tank services in Australia, Clarence Valley Septics is a reliable provider offering septic tank cleaning services and septic pump-out solutions.

 

Before beginning the process of cleaning your septic tank, Clarence Valley Septics will first determine its size, condition, and several other issues associated with it. The vehicles and tools required to clean the septic tank are then arranged in preparation for the job. In the process of septic tank cleaning, it is helpful to have equipment such as pump trucks, ground scanning radar for septic locator, sludge judge, high-capacity vacuums, and pump trucks. Clarence Valley Septic is equipped with all the necessary equipment mentioned. It then uses a vacuum pump for cleaning and separating the solid waste and the sludge. After this, any residual waste in the septic tank is properly cleared out.  

In addition to septic tank services, Clarence Valley Septics offers a range of related services, including grease trap cleaning, waste oil collection, chemical waste disposal, vacuum excavation, drain cleaning, cable location, and CCTV pipe inspections, among others.