Septic Tank Emptying: Another Household Necessity

Septic Tank Emptying

For reasons of health and hygiene, septic tank emptying should be a routine and regular occurrence. The frequency at which this operation should be carried out depends on some factors including the container size in capacity, and the estimated number of people living within that particular area – if you are in any doubt, just get in touch and we’ll be delighted to advise you on your particular needs regarding this..

Getting your septic tank emptied frequently has various environmental benefits – most importantly, there is no risk of sewage spilling into the immediate neighbourhood and causing inconvenience to residents. There is also the danger of damage to your drainage, causing you to incur extensive repair and reconstruction costs.

Maintenance of the Septic Tank

As part of your maintenance routine, frequent emptying should involve removal of all solids and sludge. Some waste does not decompose naturally, and if allowed to accumulate, your septic treatment system can experience problems. A well-maintained septic tank, however, should last for many years.

Oils and fats do not decompose or degrade quickly and are notorious for causing blockages. Provided they have not found their way into the drainage field, they can easily be got rid of by a professional septic tank emptying operative.

Waste materials that take ages to rot, or do not rot at all must not be given room to build up because they will fill up your system quickly. These are small items like cigarette filters, cotton buds, package wrappers, small plastic items, baby diapers and sanitary towels, and bottle tops among other stuff – don’t put these into your off-mains drainage system!

Food waste is also a good recipe for your septic tank filling up unnecessarily, or causing the drainage system to fail. These are things that should be taken care of during septic tank emptying.

As a matter of precaution, there are chemicals contained in domestic appliances that are known to kill what is termed as the good bacteria, necessary for aerobic digestion. They include bleaching agents, herbicides and pesticides, too much salt, and caustic soda. Try as much as you can to avoid flashing these reagents into your sewage system.

How often should a septic tank be emptied?

It is a universal rule of thumb that your septic tank should not go beyond six months without being emptied. However, that should depend on the factors mentioned earlier, notably, its usage levels, and capacity. We are happy to advise you on your personal needs.

Leaky taps or cisterns and seasonal rains can cause a septic tank to overload, causing it to stop discharging. In such scenarios, emptying must be made a priority to prevent a calamity from occurring.

Septic Tanks and Safety

For purposes of your safety, do not make it your responsibility to lift septic tank lids under any circumstances. Dangerous gases are emitted from these tanks and cause choking and other devastating effects. Let that be taken care of by designated workers who specialise in sewage operations. These are workers who are regularly vaccinated against diseases like diphtheria, tetanus, and hepatitis because of being overly exposed to such environments.

Pollution can result in prosecution

The local environment  must be made free from any form of contamination. This is an effort to protect humans, wildlife, and vegetation, and offenders can be prosecuted by the Environment Agency. To be on the safe side, it is advisable to acquire the services of a certified septic tank emptying company.

You can schedule a plan to have your sewage frequently checked by specialists who deal with septic tanks. Please contact us for more details.

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