With winter comes maintenance. With winter comes work. Your home is going to need some special attention to get through the cold season.
Pumping your septic tank is a good habit you’ll get the hang of sooner rather than later. Even then, there are always some useful tips you can learn. Septic tank pumping takes a combination of first-hand knowledge and general understanding about how your home works. If you’ve moved into a new home — or are starting to get settled into one — you’ll want to keep reading on the ins and outs of a proper septic tank pumping experience. When you’re in a bind, septic system services are available to keep you in the clear.
Here are five simple things you should know about your septic tanks.
Septic Tanks Are Fairly Common In The United States
Many homes today rely on their septic tanks to flush out wastes and keep their home running smoothly. A recent study has estimated one quarter of homes in the United States use a septic system, though some states have a higher concentration than others. Septic tank pumping is a useful service for those that are unfamiliar with the process or have run into a complication that could turn expensive. The size of your family and how active your household is are some of the biggest factors in how often you’ll need to pump your tank. First, consider the state you live in.
Certain States Have Unique Rules For Septic Tanks
The state you live in might include additional rules alongside your septic tanks. The state of Illinois, for example, requires that all piping more than five feet from a building’s foundation needs to be moving waste water to be considered part of a septic tank system. It’s estimated the average single family home will use around 70 gallons of water per person every day. If you’ve found yourself calling for a septic tank service more often than usual, consider taking another look at the size of your household. You might need an installation.
The Bigger The Household, The More Work
Your home is in a constant state of being repaired and cleaned. When you have children or a large amount of people, this can be even more frequent. In general a four person and two bedroom household will need a 1,000 gallon tank at the absolute least. Recent data from the EPA has stated more than four billion gallons of wastewater is dispersed below the ground’s surface on a daily basis. Your septic tank should be big enough to hold two days’ worth of wastewater, which is around the time it takes for solids to start loosening up.
Wastewater Takes On Different Forms
Knowledge of your septic service and what it needs will help you make better decisions. Your garbage disposal alone can increase the amount of solids in the septic tank by 50% or so. The four factors that impact the frequency of pumping include the number of people in a household, the amount of wastewater generated daily, the volume of solids in the wastewater, and the size of the septic tank. All of these should be taken into account, whether or not you’re considering a new installation. It means less effort and more saved time on your part, among other things.
Septic Tank Treatment Services Can Help Year-Round
Looking up ‘septic tank service near me’ is a good idea if you’re still not used to it. The worst thing you can do is sit around and hope the problem resolves itself on its own. A septic tank that isn’t flushed on a regular basis can risk a flood, putting you and your family at risk of an infection or expensive spill. If you’ve found yourself constantly reaching out to a service, just ask a professional about their installation rates. A bigger septic tank can save you a lot of time and money, particularly during the busy winter season.
The winter season is only getting busier. Clean up your septic tank or get a new one before the snow hits.
