The Cost of Neglecting Your Septic System: Why Regular Pumping Is a Must

A septic tank is an underground and watertight space that holds wastewater to treat it. Usually, when the wastewater has rested long enough, the solid particles settle down. And the grease and oil float up as they are lighter than water. The septic tank (wastewater treatment system) also uses microorganisms that have the capacity to decompose wastes in the sewage water.

Usually, a waste treatment tank has a T-shaped structure so that the wastewater that once enters the system does not go back. At other times there is a transfer pump that transfers the water into the waste treatment sytem. However, when your septic tank is too full, and the natural decomposition cannot happen fast enough to treat the wastewater, you may need a residential septic tank pumping.

Why Regular Pumping of Septic Tanks Is Vital

Source: theplumbingexperts.com

Most people are negligent towards the maintenance needs of their septic tanks. However, an overfilled sewage treatment system that cannot function optimally does quite a bit of nuisance. So if you are not sure why pumping the sewage treatment systems is crucial, continue reading to learn more.

Overfilled Septic Tanks Causes Wastewater to Ooze up Sinks and Flushes to Not Work

Source: martinseptic.com

The most obvious sign of an overfilled waste treatment units is that it will send your entire plumbing system into a mess. So if you notice bubbling near the drains of your sinks or a foul smell near the drain, a backflow of dirty water through any of the sinks might be due to an overfilled septic tank.

At times the flush in your toilet may not work properly, and the culprit might be a septic tank that has been filled beyond its capacity.

Although there are several reasons, like a blockage in your drainage system, why foul-smelling sewage water may ooze out of your sinkholes, and an overfilled septic tank might be one of the potential causes.

And if, indeed, the underground waste treatment units of your residential unit has been filled beyond its capacity, then it will send your entire plumbing system into a messy situation.

The cost of repairing and reworking the entire plumbing system is going to be an expensive affair. Apart from the cost, the inconvenience of a messy sink or a toilet system will definitely not be worth it.

Overfilled Septic Tanks Can Damage Your Transfer Pump

Source: sumppumpsdirect.com

A transfer pump is a device that pumps or transfers the water from the drains to the underground waste treatment unit. Since the pump applies pressure, the water cannot flow back into the drainage system.

However, if there is too much load, then the transfer pump will have to work extra hard to make sure that there is no backflow of wastewater. If the transfer pump is overworked for a long time, then it will eventually give way.

Thus, an overworked transfer pump will leave you with a faulty pump to deal with, and a messy bathroom and kitchen as the dirty water will flow back.

Overfilled Septic Tanks Can Create a Mess in the Drain Field

Source: irs-restoration.com

The drain field is a part of the waste management system of your house. Usually, the treated water is discharged to an overground area (soil) known as the drain field. An overfilled waste treatment unit may cause problems if the sewage water reaches the level of the drain field before the treatment(bacterial digestion) is over.

The problem of untreated wastewater rising to the drain field area becomes all the more acute during the rainy season. The underground waste treatment unit is usually properly sealed with materials like concrete.

However, only the portion that leads to the drain field is in direct connection with the ground level surface. So during the rains, water might flow inside the septic tank from the surface via the opening in the drain field. So if you already have an overfilled septic tank, the problem may get compounded with water flowing in from the surface (drain field area).

The dirty, incompletely treated sewage water may rise to the surface at the drain field area and create a mess.

A Septic Tank That Is Saturated May Cause Diseases

Source: southernsanitarysystems.com

An overloaded septic tank may cause a backflow of untreated wastewater into the drainage system. If somehow your regular food and water get contaminated with the wastewater, it may be a cause of concern.

Sewage consists of numerous disease-causing agents. So regular(potable) water that comes in contact with sewage may be contaminated with bacteria that cause dysentery.

Dysentery, if severe or if it is left untreated for a long while, especially in children, can result in the bloody stool. Moreover, indigestion, flatulence and nausea associated with diarrhea can upset your regular life.

An Overfilled Septic Tank Can Result in the Formation of Toxic Gasses

Source: downjohn.com

An underground tank that is left with excess waste that cannot be treated due to the overburdening of the system may lead to the accumulation of toxic gasses in the underground chamber.

Untreated waste or semi-digested waste produces foul-smelling gasses like methane and hydrogen sulfide.

Gasses like methane may not be a major problem if they are released in small quantities or if they are not enclosed in a space. But if they are enclosed in an underground, enclosed chamber (like in a waste treatment tank), it can create a gas chamber-like condition.

So if you do not want a toxic build-up of gasses in your septic tank, it is a good idea to get it pumped at regular intervals.

Conclusion

Source: acehiplumbing.com

An oversaturated septic tank can cause several problems. If there is too much inflow of water from the laundry or your toilets, then the sludge and the scum may not separate. Moreover, during the rains, if excess water seeps in through the drain field, then untreated wastes can penetrate the surface and create a mess.

So it is prudent to get your drains and pipes checked and septic tanks pumped if you see signs like oozing of foul-smelling dirty water from sinks, difficulty in flushing the toilet etc.