Sevierville Tennessee: 11 Thing You're Forgetting to Do

[Shofner Rosalee]

So you have realized that your septic tank is an important part of your property but how exactly do you maintain it? Much like a car, a little maintenance will go a long way towards the life system. Follow these steps to properly maintain your septic system.

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1. Locate Your Tank

While this may seem obvious, finding your septic tank is a little more difficult than what many think. They are buried deep underground and if your house has any age to it there is probably no visible signs as to where your system could be. If you happen to have a basement you can go down and follow your sewer lines out the wall to give you an idea as to where your septic tank might be buried. Otherwise, leave it to the professionals to locate it. They have special tools like an insulated piping they stick deep into the ground to find your tank and all its's components. Once located make sure you mark it in some way for future reference.

2. Uncover the Manhole and Inspection Ports

More than likely the man hole and inspection ports on your septic tank are buried down with the tank itself. This will require some digging at might be wise to replace with elevated access covers or risers for future inspectors to easily locate your system.

3. Check Your Connections

Since you are already going to all this trouble to check your septic tank system it would be wise to go ahead and check all your plumbing as well. This can be easily done by flushing toilets, running water in faucets, or running a load through the washer to make sure all your plumbing connections are working properly and flowing through your tank.

4. Measure the Scum and Sludge Layers

Now we're to the nitty gritty. Let us preface by saying you should NOT do this your self. Allow a trained inspector measure your septic tank system. It can be very dangerous to try and do this without training. Inserting a tool through the inspection port, the inspector will measure your tank and see where your levels of scum and sludge lay. This will also include a visual inspection of these levels.

If the sludge depth is equal to 1/3 the liquid depth your septic tank is in need of a pumping. If the tank is 1/3 full in general it also will need to be pumped. It is highly advised to pump your system when the inspector recommends; like mentioned in previous posts a little work now will greatly increase the life of the tank and save you a lot of time and money.

**WORD OF CAUTION**

As mentioned above, ONLY allow a trained professional inspect your septic tank. This is a tank full of waste; toxic gases created by the natural process in the tank can kill in MINUTES. Merely looking down into the tank can be hazardous to your health.

5. Checking your Septic Tank and It's Drainfield

After checking the scum and sludge layers of the tank the inspector will check for any cracks in the walls and drainfield for any signs of failure. If there are any additional pieces of equipment with your septic tank system, such as a distribution box, drop box, or pump, he will inspect these as well. After a thorough inspection the inspector will give you his recommendation as You can find out more to what you should do to properly maintain your septic tank.

PUMPING TIPS

If you need to pump your septic tank it is very important that you hire a professional licensed contractor. There are many things that could be damaged in the process of pumping your tank, such as the contractor using the inspection port instead of the manhole to pump out the waste. It is recommended to be present at the time the contractor is pumping your tank. Since you are spending all the time and money on getting your tank cleaned, make sure that he pumps it ALL. You do not need to have anything in your septic tank to restart the process inside the tank, nor do you need to scrub or clean the inside of the septic tank.

This is the single most important thing you can do for your system. If it gets too full solids can move to the drainfield causing clogging and a whole "heap" of other problems.

People in the United States of America are aware of the septic tanks and its types. Generally, septic tanks are of two types. One is cement sewage tank and the other is plastic septic tank. House owners install these sewage containers to manage the drainage system in the house. The size and type of the sewage container varies for each house.

Plastic septic containers are installed where there is no place in the house for cement septic containers. Cement containers are widely used and permitted in every state. They are very huge in size and it should be carefully installed. Large amount of space is required to install them. Most of the people prefer to install cement containers when compared with plastic ones.

Cement septic systems are popular in the past and before these plastic and fiberglass, cement containers are widely used and it is the only option. Cement septic tank has many advantages. A properly built cement container will last more than 50 years. If the cement is not mixed good quantity it may only last for a few years. One should be cautious while buying a cement container. It is better to buy from a reputed contractor.

Concrete containers are heavy even if they are empty and they do not float in the ground as plastic container does sometimes. These tanks are only installed in large houses as they require much space to install. Large crane is required to carry and install in the house, but plastic containers are very light in weight. One of the most important advantages of concrete sewage tank is; they are permitted in every state.

Benefits of installing cement septic containers in your house include:

• It is durable and will last for 50 years or more if it is properly constructed and maintained.

• Plastic containers sometimes float on the ground, but cement containers will not float as they are heavy.

• Concrete sewage containers are mostly recommended for large houses as they are able to huge amount of sewage waste.

• Concrete sewage containers are accepted in every state.

If you would like to install a cement container, then it is advised to choose the right container from a reputed company. The size of the container depends on the number of people staying in home and usage of water. Make sure you choose them perfectly because in the future you may come across septic tank problems. If your septic system is troubling you, contact a professional septic tank cleaning and pumping service provider near your location. There are many companies that can solve the issues at affordable cost.