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0 Septic tanks can be hard to maintain, but they can be when you’re not maintaining them regularly. So, if you want to find out what happens in a septic tank cleaning and how you can clean your septic tank naturally, then here is everything you need to know.
Septic Tank Cleaning Process
Here is what you can expect in cleaning a septic tank. Remember that it’s done by a professional and it’s done every 3 to 5 years, but depending on the maintenance and the size of the tank, it can be done frequently.
Stopping The Water Supply
the water supply is temporarily stopped, because you want to ensure that nothing is going in the tank while it’s being cleaned. So, it’s better to pause the flushing of toilets and the running of faucets for a while.
Removing The Sludge
Then, the sludge will be removed. Sludge is essentially the accumulation of wet and solid waste on the surface and it can clog the drain line and the tank, so it’s necessary to remove it. It is scraped off the sides of the tank as well as skimmed off the top. However, if you’re preparing for a flash flood, the septic tank should be half full to keep it from collapsing.
Cleaning The Drain Lines
The drain lines are the passages from where the waste travels from the tank and is collected at a certain place where the waste is separated from the water, which then goes into the soil. Sometimes, the drain line can get clogged and it needs to be cleaned, otherwise, the tank will overflow and that’s not a good sign at all.
The opening of the drain field is also checked for any blockages and it is cleaned thoroughly to be used flawlessly for years to come. This is important, because if the drain field or lines are clogged for a long time, then things can take a turn for the worse.
Cleaning The Filters
Even though it’s not recommended that you throw solid and non-degradable waste in the septic tank or flush it down the toilet, there are certain filters in the septic tank that catch them and separate them from the watery waste. This allows the smooth operation of the tank. However, over time, the filter needs to be cleaned, so that it can do its job correctly.
This is why cleaning said filters is also important because it provides a clear and block-free passage for the waste to travel without any obstruction. This filter doesn’t get clogged as often, but you’ll need to get it cleaned when it is time for the pumping of the tank. You will see the difference for yourself after everything is clean and the septic tank will resume its operation timely and you won’t have any problems. If you only want the sludge to be removed from the tank and get done with stuff quickly, you can also choose septic tank pumping Williamsport.
Natural Ways To Clean Your Septic Tank
If you’re looking for some natural ways to keep your septic tank clean and running smoothly, then here are some things that you can use.
Use Vinegar
Vinegar is acetic acid. It is a very gentle acid that is perfect for cleaning a dirty toilet, drain lines, and any kind of grime or dirt. It can also be used in a septic tank. All you need for this is a bit of vinegar and you’ll need to dilute it in water. Your septic tank can be a pit of sludge after some time, and instead of using other harsh chemicals, you can use a vinegar solution which will do wonders for your tank.
Once you mix the water and vinegar, you can pour it down the drain and even the sink. As a final touch, you can warm up some water and pour this down the drain as well and this will clean up any clogs, blockages, and sludge depositions in the drain leading to the septic tank, and it won’t have a weird smell either.
Use Baking Soda
Baking soda is also nature’s disinfectant and cleaner, so if you want to use something natural to clean your septic tank or the drains leading up to it, then baking soda is something you want to have on hand.
You can directly sprinkle baking soda into the drain and pour it down with some warm water or you can use a pasty mixture of baking soda and lemon and that will also act as a deodorant for the drains and the tank. Baking soda doesn’t pill up so it’s a very natural and good option.
Don’t Use Bleach
You might think that cleaning a septic tank with bleach is amazing, but it will end up doing more bad than good for your tank. First of all, bleach can have different concentrations and if you’re using too strong of a concentration, then it can lead to corrosion of the pipes and that is going to turn into a disaster.
So, you shouldn’t use bleach at all, because it also kills the good bacteria in the tank that is responsible for cleaning the tank regularly. So, sometimes, steering clear of bleach will save you from a lot of damage.
Tomatoes To The Rescue
Speaking of good bacteria, it is essential for your septic tank, because it allows the natural decomposition of waste and it doesn’t need any kind of aid. So, in other words, bacteria are doing the work for you. However, sometimes, the bacteria can get depleted, especially if you’re using harmful chemicals that kill the bacteria.
To replenish the bacteria growth, you can use tomatoes that are going bad. You will need to chop up the tomatoes nice and fine and throw them directly in the tank. This will allow bacteria growth and the tank will resume its self-cleaning.
Some Cleaners Are A No-No
As mentioned previously, harsh cleaners are not meant to be poured into the septic tank, because they’ll “clean it better”. That doesn’t work and you’ll end up ruining the pipes and the walls of the tank, which calls for a full replacement and that is not what you want.
So, you want to steer clear of all kinds of harsh cleaners, like acids, chemicals, and corrosive cleaners, because they will end up doing more bad than good. Stick to the less potent stuff and your life will be hassle-free.
Yeast Is The Best
Another way of speeding up the degeneration process in the septic tank, if you don’t have tomatoes, is to use yeast. All You need for this is a packet of instant yeast and you can simply flush it down the toilet. Once the yeast reaches the septic tank, the bacteria will start to bloom and it will produce more bacteria that will help in the breaking down of the solids.
It is truly a wonderful way to restore the bacteria growth in your septic tank and let it do its thing for a long time to come.
Conclusion
Cleaning a septic tank isn’t too complicated. You just need to be on top of things so that the septic tank doesn’t get clogged and can work flawlessly for years to come. Moreover, only trust septic companies Hagerstown when septic cleaning is due which is usually in 3-5 years.
