A septic tank can build up solid waste over time that needs to be pumped out. Regularly scheduled septic tank pumping by professionals helps prevent costly issues and repairs in the future.

During the pumping process, technicians will locate and access the septic tank. Then the lids or covers are removed and inspected. Contact Septic Tank Pump Out Perth for professional help.
A septic tank is a large concrete box that sits underground and receives your home’s wastewater and septic system waste. The tank is filled with bacteria and yeasts that break down the waste as it flows into the tank. The waste stays in the septic tank until it is pumped out. As long as the bacteria and yeasts in your septic tank are healthy, you only need to have your septic tank pumped every two to five years.
A typical septic tank is cylindrical in shape and can hold between 1,000 and 2,000 gallons. It can be made of concrete, heavy plastic, or metal. The septic tank is watertight and designed to hold waste until it can be pumped out. When waste enters your septic tank, it begins to form three different layers. The heaviest materials sink to the bottom and become sludge, grease and oil float on top, and water (or effluent) oozes out of the middle.
Once the liquid layer of wastewater leaves the septic tank, it goes to the drain field. The drain field is a shallow, covered trench made in your backyard that allows the partially treated wastewater to permeate through soil and filter into groundwater. If the septic tank is overloaded or the drain field is clogged, sewage will back up into your home.
The inlet and outlet baffles in your septic tank are a key component to how well the septic system works. The inlet baffle keeps solids and sludge from entering the wastewater stream and the outlet baffle prevents wastewater from leaving too quickly. This helps the septic system retain its waste for longer and prevents the wastewater from flooding and polluting the absorption field or surrounding environment.
You can check if your septic tank is working properly by examining the sludge level and the scum and sludge levels in your septic tank. If there is a lot of sludge and scum building up, your septic tank needs to be pumped out. A septic tank that is not being pumped out on time can cause problems such as slow drainage, sewage odors, and sludge that backs up into your home.
How Does a Septic Tank Work?
A septic tank is a water-tight concrete or fiberglass container that is buried underground close to the house. It is large enough to hold all of the waste and wastewater from all the drains and toilets in the house. It is sized based on the number of bathrooms and household usage. It can be made out of heavy plastic, fiberglass or concrete. A septic tank should last 40 years or more if it is properly maintained.
When the waste leaves your home, it flows to the septic tank where it starts a treatment process. The wastewater is separated into three layers; a solid layer at the bottom of the tank, a layer of oil and fat that floats on top which is called scum and a clear liquid layer in the middle. Bacteria inside the tank breaks down some of the solid waste and sludge. This creates a less toxic and odorous waste liquid. The septic tank also prevents the harmful solid waste from getting into the soil and groundwater.
Once the septic tank is full, an outlet pipe connects to a larger area of soil known as a drain field or a leach field. The wastewater is slowly released into the soil. As it soaks into the soil, micro-organisms in the drain field further break down the remaining solid waste and viruses. The septic tank does provide some preliminary treatment of the sludge and scum layers but most of the processing happens in the drain field.
The septic system can be designed with either gravity or pressure distribution. The gravity-style systems use a network of pipes that are buried in the drainfield, while the pressure-distribution system uses a pump to push the effluent into the piping network. Research shows that a pressure-distribution system can distribute the effluent more evenly throughout the drainfield and delay saturation of any one part of the infiltrative surface.
The septic tank also includes baffles and effluent filters that stop the sludge and scum from washing out into the drainfield. The septic tank should be pumped regularly to ensure that the baffles and effluent filters stay clean so they can adequately protect the drainfield. If the septic tank is not pumped regularly, it will eventually fill with solid waste and wash out into the drainfield where it will clog the soil and cause failure of the septic system. Regular pumping, along with using a garbage disposal sparingly and not flushing anything that does not dissolve like wet wipes or paper towels can extend the life of your septic system.
Why Should I Pump My Septic Tank?
Most homeowners know that their septic tank needs to be pumped periodically, but they may not understand why. Septic tanks hold sewage waste, which is a toxic material that can cause many problems if not properly addressed. Regular septic tank pumping helps to keep the system working as it should, protecting local groundwater and soil health.
Septic tank pumping primarily addresses excess sludge. When too much sludge builds up, it can prevent the wastewater from flowing to the drain field. This leads to a number of issues, including slow drainage, sewage odors, and septic tank failure. In addition, the sludge can also be a source of pathogenic bacteria and viruses that could potentially make its way into groundwater.
To avoid this, it is recommended that homeowners schedule septic tank pumping every three to five years. More frequent pumping may be required for households with a large number of people using the system.
When the pumping truck arrives, the septic tank is emptied by placing a hose into the opening. The hose is connected to a vacuum pump that creates negative pressure inside the tank. The septic tank is then pumped of its contents, including water, sludge, and organic material.
As the septic tank is pumped, a professional may use a hose to stir the levels and ensure that all solids are removed. A professional can also check for signs of a problem with the septic tank, such as cracks or leaks.
If you are considering having a party at your house, it is often a good idea to have the septic tank pumped out just prior to the event. This will help to protect the drain field from being flooded with excess wastewater and prevent premature field failure or septic back up into the house.
It is important to note that septic tank pumping only deals with the sludge and scum level of the tank, not the liquid wastewater layer. This is why it is necessary to learn more about septic tank systems and how they work before having one installed. To further protect your septic tank and reduce maintenance, consider having risers installed on the lids of the septic tank. This will eliminate the need for digging and cleaning septic tank openings, saving time and money on future tank pumping.
How Do I Pump My Septic Tank?
Your septic tank removes solid waste from wastewater before it moves into your soil absorption system. The septic tank is not designed to take care of all your waste disposal needs, however. It’s important to keep it pumped and to watch out for the telltale signs that it’s time for service.
Your tank’s size has a direct impact on how often it needs to be pumped out. Larger households produce more household waste, so their septic tanks fill up faster than those of smaller households.
A full septic tank can cause wastewater to back up into your home, so it’s essential to keep yours at the proper level. If you notice that your drains are slowing down or that you’re experiencing clogged toilets, emptying your septic tank can help prevent these problems from getting worse.
Another key sign that it’s time to have your septic tank pumped is a foul smell in your home. A septic tank that’s overflowing with sewage will emit a strong, rotten egg-like odor in your home.
Keeping your septic system topped up isn’t just good for your septic tank and septic system; it’s also great for the environment. By preventing wastewater from entering local rivers and streams, septic systems protect the water quality of the area.
In addition to septic tank pumping, it’s a good idea to have your entire septic system regularly inspected by a professional. A trained septic technician will be able to identify any issues and recommend repairs or other services. In addition, a septic system expert can provide you with helpful tips for taking care of your septic system to prevent future problems.
A properly functioning septic system is vital to a healthy, sustainable home. Regular septic tank pumping, inspections and maintenance will keep your septic tank working effectively and efficiently for years to come. With the right septic tank maintenance plan, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that your family is safe and protected from dangerous diseases and bacteria.