The septic tank is a watertight box made of precast concrete, reinforced fiberglass, or plastic placed between the house and a disposal field. The tank protects the disposal field by removing solids and grease form the sewage before it reaches the disposal bed.

When household waste enters the tank several things occur.

1. Lighter solids and materials float to the surface of the tank to form a layer called scum.
2. Heavier solids and the by-products of biological digestion settle to the bottom of the tank to form a layer called sludge.
3. Liquid from the clear space passes out to the disposal field to be treated by the soil. If solids are able to pass through the septic tank to the disposal field the pores in the soil will become clogged, causing a bed failure.

The answer is it depends. A tank should be pumped every three to five years. (More often if you have a garbage digester.) The frequency of cleaning depends on the size of the tank and the use it is given. The owner or a qualified technician should inspect the tank every year.

There are many different sizes and shaped tanks being used, however most tanks being installed today are 1000 Imp. gallons or larger. Sludge accumulation is approximately 80 gallons per capita per year or, 320 gallons per family of four.

Additives are no substitute for proper maintenance and proper use of your system. Many additives on the market do little to aid in the breakdown of solids, and some may even hinder the natural bacteria in a septic system.

The local Health department should have a drawing of your septic system. Bio-Liquid Waste has a septic tank locator available if you’re not sure of its exact position.

No. We use a mini Excavator to dig up the covers. It’s lightweight and the size makes it the perfect tool for the job.

Neglecting to regularly inspect and clean the septic tank.

• Lack of understanding on the proper use of the system
• Poor soil conditions and/or faulty design or installation
• Over use – volume of water discharged exceeds system capabilities. I.e. more people in the house, or leaky faucet
• Unusually high water table, flooding the tank and/or the bed
• Tree roots clogging pipes
• Traffic over the disposal field breaking pipes
• Obstruction in the pipe between the house and the septic tank

Please don’t wait for these signs because it may mean damage has already occurred.

• Plumbing backups
• Sluggish drainage in the house
• New gurgling noises in the pipes and drains
• Soft ground or greener grass in the area of the septic field
• Sewage odors outdoors, in the basement
• Surface breakout of sewage around disposal site