Your septic system needs proper care and maintenance to ensure that your wastewater is properly disposed of and that your drains are working well. There will eventually come a time where your septic tank will need to be cleaned too. In cases like this, what would be the best thing to do?
The sludge and scum build-up in your septic tank will eventually be too much to handle. As per industry experts, you need to have your septic tank cleaned and pumped at least once every 3-5 years. Take a look at https://septictank.com/ to better understand why this is necessary. Avoiding tank clean-ups can really affect your septic system.
Cleaning your septic tank is not as easy as you think. You might be tempted to do it on your own but trust us, it requires years’ worth of practice and a lot of special equipment to be able to clean it properly. Here are a few reasons why you should seek help when your tank needs cleaning.
It’s not safe for your health
Aside from wastewater, sludge, and scum, your septic tank also houses a lot of bacteria and dangerous glasses which are all dangerous to your health. Unless you know the proper protocol or unless you have the right personal protective gear, opening your tank with you nearby is ill-advised. It’s a recipe for disaster which could lead to a hospital visit.
It’s not just about what the gas and bacteria can do to you, it’s also about how you could potentially contaminate the surrounding areas. You can easily be a carrier of the bacteria without you knowing. A lot of steps need to be taken before and after cleaning your tank to ensure that no one or nothing gets contaminated after opening the tank.
There are many possible diseases related to sewage and septic systems. Some of which are fatal to your health. As per the Indiana Department of Health, some of those diseases include Campylobacteriosis Cryptosporidiosis, and E. Coli just to name a few. The bills you’ll have to pay to rid yourself of your disease is something to worry about as well.
You don’t have the right tools
You can do septic tank cleaning on your own but that it is if you have the right tools. There are many tools used by professional cleaners such as gully sucker, high water pressure jets, and other necessary tools. Of course, they also have the right personal protective gear which prevents them from getting sick when near the tank.
This equipment makes the cleaning process more thorough and proper. You can invest in these items yourself but that would mean investing in tools that you’re not going to regularly use. It will be more practical for you to seek professional help instead as these tools also require training for you to properly manage them.
They can dispose of the wastewater properly
Even if you can pump out the waste inside your septic tank, you are left with another problem – the sludge and scum that have built up inside your tank. It’s not easy taking these harmful wastes out, let alone find the proper place to dispose of them. You can’t simply throw this in a landfill as it could be contaminated. It’s even more improper to throw it in a nearby river or lake.
Professional cleaners will take the accumulated waste and then take it to a treatment facility. There, it will be properly disposed of and recycled. The waste the accumulates inside your tank is harmful to both the environment and others so it’s a must that you have it disposed properly of. Unless you know how to, it’s best to leave the work to the hands of professionals.
They can find more issues inside your tank
Professional tank cleaners not only ensure the cleanliness of your tank, they also check if there are other issues within your septic system. As you lack the experience, you might not be able to see any possible leaks or issues within your septic tank and septic system. Most service crews will also inspect your tank for problems.
After inspecting and fixing problems, they’ll also guide you on how you can best take care of your tank. They might even suggest some upgrades or changes you can make to ensure that the system is working properly.
It will help you avoid damage
Despite having the word “tank” in its name, septic tanks aren’t exactly invincible. All it takes it one wrong hit of a shovel to damage the integrity of the tank. Worse, you could be creating unwanted holes within the tank while cleaning it on your own. It takes experience to know how to properly clean a septic tank.
Many people who try to clean their own tanks end up damaging them as well. Not only will this ruin your septic system, but it might also result in heavier repair expenses in the future too. Make sure that if you’re going to clean it yourself, you must be knowledgeable about exactly what you need to do.
They’ll also clean your pipes
It’s not enough to have your septic tank cleaned. It’s also important that your pipes are free from solid wastes, grease, and oil. Professional cleaners will also clear out your pipes so that your septic system is running as properly as possible.
Septic tanks are already hard to clean but pipes are even harder to do. This is because you can’t easily reach the pipes that run under your house. Luckily professional cleaners also offer an all-around service to have this done.
You might feel tempted to clean the septic tank on your own but keep in mind that this is a complicated and even dangerous matter if you’re not careful. As such, it’s much better to ask for help. It is definitely more cost-efficient than fixing it on your own if it means having to risk your health and tank’s integrity along the way.
