When you call for septic tank pumping, the septic professionals won't just arrive on the site and start pumping the tank. They will inspect the site and tank before beginning the pumping business because there is a lot they can learn from it. Here are some of the specific issues typically covered in pre-pumping inspection.
Signs of Subsidence
Once you have identified the septic tank area, you should compare its condition relative to the condition of the land. You should be suspicious about the condition of the tank if its location is sunken or low lying compared to the surrounding soil. Such subsidence may indicate a weak tank that is being crushed by the pressure of the materials (soil and water) around it, and such a tank is at a high risk of collapse and should be handled with care.
The Integrity of the Cover
You will also get the chance to inspect the condition of the tank cover before it is pumped. You can do this after the vegetation or thin soil cover on the tank is removed but before the tank is opened. Ideally, the cover should be in place and it should be able to completely cover up the septic tank's opening. Don't forget that this inspection should only be handled by a professional because an amateur may cause the collapse of the cover or even fall into the tank during the inspection.
Scum and Sludge Thickness
The inspection can continue once the cover has been removed and the tank has been opened up. One of the things you can then check is the thickness of the scum inside the tank. The amount of scum in the tank and the proximity of the scum layer to the outlet can both affect tank performance. For example, a floating scum layer that is more than 3 inches thick (from the bottom of the outlet) means the tank should be pumped. Alternatively, sludge thickness (at the bottom of the tank) that is within 18 inches of the outlet also means that the tank ought to be pumped.
Effluent Level in the Tank
Lastly, the overall effluent level in the tank – scum, liquid, and sludge – will also be evaluated because it also has some significance. For example, an unusually high level of waste in the tank may mean that the outlet is blocked. Unusually low waste levels, on the other hand, may mean that the tank is leaking.
For more information, contact a company like Sound Septic Pumping and Services, Inc.
It isn't always easy to know where to start when it comes to household maintenance, but a few years ago I realized I needed a new septic system. We were having a problem with our drains draining properly, so we turned to some experts for some help. They walked us through every aspect of the plumbing process, and within a few days, we were having a brand new septic tank installed. It was great to see just how much better things ran when the septic was working, and this blog is evidence of how much something like that can help.