Getting your septic tank pumped out regularly eliminates sewage odors from entering your home. It also keeps your system from overflowing and potentially contaminating the environment.

Over time, solid waste settles in the bottom of the septic tank as sludge while grease and lighter materials float to the top as scum. Pumping removes these layers, making space available for new wastewater to enter. Contact Septic Tank Pump Out Perth now!

The cost of septic tank pumping depends on several factors, including tank size and location. A larger tank typically costs more to pump, and a more populated area can also increase the cost. However, the most significant factor is how much use the septic system gets. Homeowners who frequently host guests or take long showers are apt to have higher usage and need their tank pumped more often than those who don’t.

Before a professional pumps the septic tank, they’ll perform an initial inspection to assess the condition of the tank and locate the access points. They’ll want to know how many people live in the house, how often the toilets are flushed, and any other information that can help them determine how often the tank should be pumped.

The initial inspection will also include an examination of the septic tank’s contents to see how full it is. This is important because overfilling the septic tank can cause sewage to back up into the house. This can lead to expensive repairs and even health risks.

Once the septic tank is emptied, the sludge will be taken away for disposal. This waste is sometimes treated at sewage treatment plants or sold to for-profit companies that repurpose it as fertilizer for agricultural purposes. Some counties have septic tank disposal sites, but they are usually quite far away from most homes and can be very expensive to transport the septage.

Regular maintenance of the septic tank can significantly reduce the need to have it pumped out, saving homeowners hundreds or even thousands of dollars in repair and disposal fees. In addition, a homeowner can help keep their septic system in good working order by avoiding flushing harmful products such as feminine hygiene products, cotton balls, or “flushable” wipes. These products can cause buildup that healthy bacteria in the septic system can’t break down, leading to costly clogs and leaks. The best way to avoid these issues is to have your septic tank inspected on a regular basis and get it pumped as recommended by professionals.

Symptoms

Typically, the first sign that your septic tank needs to be pumped out is slow draining throughout your home. Slow drainage often starts with the sinks, toilets, and showers closest to your septic system. If you use septic friendly drain cleaner and the problem persists, you should call to schedule your septic tank pump out.

Another clear sign that it’s time for your septic tank to be pumped out is when you start to notice sewage backing up into your home. This is a hugely dangerous and messy issue, especially if the sewage gets into your kitchen or bathroom. If you notice sewage backup, contact Mac Plumbing immediately.

One of the most obvious signs that your septic tank is full and needs to be pumped out is if you notice a foul odor wafting through your home. The odor is a result of raw sewage that has overfilled the septic tank and seeped into your home’s plumbing system. This can lead to costly sewage damage as well as a health hazard for you and your family.

When your septic tank is overfull, it can also cause the sludge to build up in your absorption field and cause a clog. This is because the sludge blocks the wastewater from entering into the tank, so it builds up in your pipes. This is why it’s so important to get your septic tank pumped out on time, every 3 to 5 years.

Gurgling sounds when you flush a toilet, use the kitchen sink or take a shower is another clear sign that your septic tank is overfull and needs to be pumped out. The gurgling occurs when air is trapped inside of the lines due to the septic tank being full. This can be very annoying and can cause further damage to your pipes if left unattended.

You can check the septic tank’s sludge level by placing a stick into the septic tank and then checking the velcro strip on the end of the stick. The dark thick sludge will cling to the velcro, and you can roughly measure how much sludge is in the tank by following the velcro strip down into the tank until it hits the bottom. We recommend getting your septic tank pumped out as soon as the sludge reaches 1 foot of sludge.

Repairs

Many people don’t think about their septic system until it starts failing or making their home smell. Then they realize the septic tank pump out cost may be much more than they expected.

In addition to getting the tank pumped, you may also need some system repairs. If you have a leaky toilet or other problem with your drains, a plumber will come and make the necessary repairs. You should do this before your septic tank starts to fail, or you might have waste back up into your house.

During the pumping process, a professional will use a muckrake to break up solid waste and sludge. This helps to reduce the volume of the sludge so it can be removed more easily. They will also check for any damage to your septic tank and the overall system. The technician will let you know if they think you need any major repairs or replacements.

Liquid waste from the tank flows through a series of pipes to a soil absorption field where it’s slowly absorbed into the ground. This removes pathogens and other harmful materials from the water before it reaches groundwater supplies. Solid materials that don’t get broken down by anaerobic bacteria collect in sludge at the bottom of the tank, and grease and other lightweight materials float to the top of the tank as scum.

A septic system that’s not regularly pumped can build up a layer of sludge over the absorption field, which will eventually destroy it. Depending on how much use your system gets, you might have to replace the entire field.

To avoid this, have your septic tank pumped as soon as it reaches 1 foot of sludge. You can test the level of sludge yourself by lowering a stick with a velcro strip down into the tank and feeling around for it at the bottom. The sludge will cling to the velcro strip, so you can estimate how much sludge is left in the tank by checking the sludge level on the velcro strip.

Other ways to keep your septic system working well include using less water (especially in the dishwasher and washing machine), repairing all leaking toilets, and planting grass or shallow-rooted plants over the absorption field. It’s also a good idea to not park or drive over the area, as this can cause erosion that can crack and damage septic tanks and drainage pipes.

Maintenance

Having your septic tank inspected and pumped regularly will prevent it from overflowing and allow you to detect any problems before they cause major damage. When you choose to hire a company to pump your septic tank, make sure they are licensed and insured. You should also ask for references and check online reviews.

A properly functioning septic system will safely and naturally dispose of your waste without contaminating groundwater supplies or polluting the environment around your home. To do this, the liquid waste passes through a series of porous pipes that empty into the soil absorption field. As gravity pulls the waste downward, bacteria eat it up and neutralize any pathogens before they reach groundwater supplies. When a septic tank is full, however, solid wastes can begin to clog the inlet and outlet pipes or spill out of the tank into the surrounding yard.

The heaviest material, which is known as sludge, sinks to the bottom of the tank while fats, oils, and other lightweight materials float to the top. The clear, odorless wastewater in the middle, which is called effluent or gray water, flows out of the tank into the drain field. The septic tank must be emptied before the heaviest sludge begins to clog inlet and outlet pipes or overflow into the house.

A septic tank that is not pumped regularly will overflow into the septic system’s drain field, which can damage your property and expose you and your family to dangerous bacteria and toxic chemicals. This can be a costly, messy, and dangerous process to clean up and repair.

When you’re having your septic tank pumped, ask the pumping professionals to inspect the septic system while they are there. They’ll look for cracks and leaks in the tank and pipes, deteriorated baffles, and other problems. They’ll also look for signs of sewage run-back into the tank, which can cause serious health and safety issues.

There are products on the market that claim to extend the time between septic tank pumping. However, these products may throw the primordial ecosystem that has developed over time out of balance and interfere with bacterial digestion. In addition, they can contain chemicals that kill the microorganisms that eat waste and cause it to break down.