Septic Tank Service
If you have a septic tank system on your property and are located in Fresno and Madera Counties, your septic tank system is going to require septic tank service. Septic tank service includes all aspects to the maintenance and upkeep of your septic tank system.
What are different types of Septic Tank Service?
Septic tank services contribute to the maintenance and upkeep of your septic tank system. Sometimes different components to the septic system require repair. Different types of septic tank service include:
- Septic Tank Pumping.
- Septic Tank Inspection.
- Septic Tank Cleaning.
- Septic tank treatment.
- Septic Tank Repair.
- Leach Field Repair.
- Septic Tank Abandonment.
- Sewer Tie In.
What is Septic Tank Pumping?
Septic tank pumping removes organic materials from the septic tank. Over time scum, sludge & other sewage components collect in the septic tank. While there is a process of natural recycling happening throughout the septic tank system by bacteria naturally existing in the organic materials that breakdown the sewage, eventually the buildup needs to be removed from the septic tank to create more room for continued collection of sewage and wastewater.
Septic tank pumping is the process that removes sludge from the septic tank through a vacuum hose on a septic tank pumping truck and stores it in a specialized holding tank on truck. The contents are then delivered to the local septic treatment plant. The average household should expect to pump their septic tank every three to five years.
What is a Septic Tank Inspection?
Septic tank inspection is the process in which a plumber inspects the components of the septic tank system and the septic tank. A septic tank inspection includes a plumber visually inspecting the outside / visible components of the septic tank system, using a sewer line camera to inspect the condition of the inlet & outlet pipes as well as the septic tank. Mirrors are common tools used in a septic tank inspection as well. A visual inspection is conducted for the Leach Fields.
The sewer camera inspection during a septic tank inspection will provide the visual condition of the inside of the septic tank. The camera inspection of the septic tank will indicate sewage levels and confirm if it’s time for a septic tank pumping.
Septic tank inspections are common in the real estate industry, although a routine real estate inspection fails to inspect the interior condition of the septic tank system. An independent septic tank inspection conducted by a professional plumber will help potential home buyers feel safe and confident as to the interior condition of the septic tank system on their upcoming investment. A septic tank inspection is an invaluable tool in the hands of real estate agents, buyers and sellers.
What is Septic Tank Cleaning?
Septic tank cleaning is different than septic tank pumping, even though they are similar. Septic tank cleaning is the process that cleans everything from the inside of the septic tank including the scum, effluent and sludge. Septic tank pumping commonly pumps the top layers of the septic tank while a good septic tank cleaning removes all the contents inside the septic tank.
What is Septic Tank Treatment?
Natural decomposition of the contents in a septic tank occur with the assistance of “good bacteria” which break down the sewage into the different layers in the septic tank. Sept tank treatment is assisting the sewage to decompose by introducing natural / biological or chemical additives to the contents in the septic tank. Septic tank additives claim they help with the decomposition of matter found in the septic tank.
Biological additives include bacteria, enzymes and yeast products supplied by manufacturers and sold in most home goods stores. Natural additives are unnecessary to introduce to your septic tank as the tank gets all the bacteria and components it needs to breakdown naturally.
Chemical additives are both inorganic and organic. Introducing chemical additives to your septic tank can be more harmful than helpful. Rather than disrupting a healthy septic system, it is best to refrain from using biological or chemical system treatments. Chemical septic treatment interferes with the natural decomposition already taking place.
What cleaning products can I use with a septic tank?
Septic-safe products are highly recommended. Or natural cleaning products like vinegar water. If you are unsure whether a cleaner is a septic safe product, check the manufacturer label. If you are unsure, the best guidance is to refrain from using it.
Tips for Maintaining a Healthy Septic System Are:
- Watch your septic system for overflows, backups and undesirable odors.
- Inspect your septic tank regularly.
- Maintain septic tank pumping every three to five years, or whatever your septic pumping company professional recommends.
- Avoid flushing inorganic materials through the septic system such as baby wipes, flushable wipes, feminine hygiene products, and diapers. Even “flushable” wipes can cause harm.
- Avoid flushing or rinsing unnatural household chemicals down the line. These can be harmful to the naturally occurring eco-system taking place in the breakdown in the contents of the septic tank.
Sometimes introducing septic tank treatment additives to your septic system can cause more harm than they do benefits. If you are unsure if you should apply septic tank treatment, reach out to your septic service company and ask for their recommendation, unique circumstances do arise.
What is Septic System Repair?
Septic system repair occurs when a component of the septic system malfunctions and must be fixed in order for the septic tank system to operate effectively. If you have a septic system on your property, septic tank repairs can be expected from time to time to upkeep the septic system.
Common repairs conducted on a septic tank system:
- Emergency septic tank services.
- Emergency septic tank pumping.
- Sewage backups.
- Septic tank overflow.
- Leach field repair.
- Pipe replacement.
- Septic tank replacement.
- Septic tank installation.
Maintaining a healthy septic system, scheduling regular inspections and septic tank pumping provides a limitation with the amount of repairs that will be completed throughout the lifetime of the septic tank system. Regularly keep an eye on your septic tank to look out for potential repairs.
What is leach field repair?
A leach field is an extension of the septic tank system. Leach fields, also referred to as leach lines and septic drain fields, work as a filtration system for the wastewater that exits the septic tank. The leach fields remove any last pollutants & contaminants that remain in the wastewater. Wastewater is carried through the leach fields and drains out into designated sandy or rocky areas where it cleans and eventually recycles itself organically through microbial breakdown.
To identify whether your leach field requires repair, keep an eye out for:
- Plumbing fixtures such as toilets and sinks slowly draining.
- Water or other sewage components pooling in or near your leach field.
- Foul odors around the leach field or even in your home.
- Backups.
Some leach field repairs are unavoidable. A common occurrence that requires leach field repair or replacement are tree roots growing in the lines and causing obstruction. A neglected leach line can end up being costly to completely replace. Regularly scheduled septic tank maintenance is highly recommended.
What is Septic Tank Abandonment?
Septic tank abandonment is when an existing septic tank is no longer needed and will be replaced with either a new septic tank or sewer system connection. Typically, when a septic tank is abandoned it will be filled with sand or concrete. Septic tanks are usually not removed from their location though it isn’t unheard of. Sometimes a septic tank will be removed if new septic tank installation and septic tank replacement is required.
What is sewer tie in?
If you’re asking yourself this question you might have received communication from your local municipalities notifying you of a new ordinance requiring you to abandon your septic tank system and to tie into the City sewer system. This means that your septic system will no longer be necessary and once the sewer tie in is complete your sewage will flow out to the city sewer. The occurrence is becoming more common in Fresno and Madera Counties as city lines are expanding.
Sewer tie ins can be costly. Some cities have programs which lend to financing options for property owners. You can even find grants through City and County funding. All you have to do is ask!
What is Septic Tank Installation?
Septic tank systems are solitary sewage system whereas urban areas usually tie into a common sewer line, treated and maintained by City management. Plumbing systems are in every home and commercial property and include sinks, drains, showers, tubs, toilets and more. All of these assist in carrying organic materials and wastewater from the dwelling out to either a septic system or sewer system.
Septic tank installation is the process by which septic systems are designed and built to tie into plumbing systems. If you are planning on moving out of the city, it is best to do your research on maintaining septic tank systems as you’ll either need to install one or will be purchasing an existing septic tank.
What will septic tank services cost me?
Septic tank service covers a wide range of different maintenance upkeeps and repairs. The most common septic tank services a property owner should prepare for are routine septic tank pumping and septic systems every three to five years on average. Budgeting $300.00 to $700.00 for these services typically covers the cost.
If you suspect the septic tank services your septic system requires are beyond septic tank pumping and septic tank inspections, it is best to call your local professional to see what they recommend.
Where can I find septic services near me?
Luckily in today’s day and age, information is literally at our fingertips! All a consumer needs is their smart phone, laptop, computer or tablet and can search in any search engine site to pull up a variety of local septic service companies. If technology isn’t your best suit, you can look in your local yellow pages, reach out to your insurance company, home warranty company, local municipalities and there is also the old fashioned directory assistance by dialing 4-1-1 and asking them for the number to a local septic service company. You can even ask your neighbor who they recommend!
