Basic Information On Septic Pumping For New Homeowners
If you are a new homeowner, then you may have no idea how the pumping actually works. If you want to invest in a septic tank pumping service right away to ensure the health of your septic tank, keep reading to learn about some basic information to help you understand what your septic professional will do.
The Actual Pumping Is Quick
The actual pumping of the septic tank is completed quite quickly and you can expect the pumping to be done in about one hour. This means that you only need to stop using toilets and drains for a short period of time. And you can often schedule your appointment when you and your family members are not home. If you do this, then make sure that you locate the top cap of the septic tank before your appointment.
Finding the lid can be difficult since most of them are buried in the ground. You can use the home survey that was given to you at the time of your home purchase to locate the lid. If you do not have this document, then you can use a small metal detector to find it. Your septic tank pumping professional may have their own metal detector that they can use, so ask them about this.
If you want to locate the lid yourself, then you can use a shovel to dig up the first few inches of earth to reveal it. However, do not pull up the lid on your own. This is dangerous due to the depth of the tank and the waste materials inside it. You want to simply mark the area for the professionals.
Built-Up Debris Is Removed
You may know that a septic pumping involves the removal of wastes with a large hose. However, you may not know that the septic professionals will use practices to break up stuck-on debris that has solidified at the very bottom of the tank. This process is called backflushing and involves the forceful release of fluids back into the septic tank.
Backflushing can be completed numerous times, and it may be necessary if the tank has not been pumped in a long time. In this case, more solid material has been left to accumulate on the inside of the tank and it may be difficult for the professional to remove.
Once the built-up debris is released, your pumping professional can inspect the inside of the tank if you have requested this service. Otherwise, the cap is replaced and you can use your waste system at this time.