The sandy southwest Florida soil provides an ideal environment for septic drainage fields. The soil quickly drains and filters the water and keeps the environment around your home safe. Although it’s advantageous to have the sandy soil, you can’t avoid the regular pumping and maintenance of your septic tank. Proper care of your septic tank is the only way to assure your community and the beautiful southwest Florida environment remain unharmed.
How often do I need to pump my septic tank?
Every homeowner with a septic system should clean the septic tank every 1 to 3 years. This cleaning is necessary to remove the solid waste and excess sludge from the tank. If the tank is not emptied enough, the pipes could backup causing dangerous and costly leaks. The sludge can also plug the drainage field lines which will harm the environment and cost thousands of dollars to fix.
The Process:
When it’s time to clean your tank, always call a licensed professional. When the professional arrives, they may ask if you’ve been experiencing any unexpected problems with your system or when you last had the tank pumped. The technician will remove the tank cover and then pump the solids and liquids from the tank into his pumping truck. This cleaning process breaks up and removes the sludge and scum at the bottom of the tank, which prevents costly failures.
During the pumping process, ask the technician about the health of your septic tank. He can gauge the amount of sludge and determine when your tank will need its next cleaning. Also make sure he examines the baffles. The baffles are the part of the tank that forces the wastewater down into the tank rather than just across the surface and into the outlet pipe. If the baffles are not working properly, the tank may be forcing wastewater right into your septic field.
Once the technician is finished pumping, check to make sure there is a black film on the walls of the tank and a small amount of liquid pooling at the bottom. These remaining elements contain the essential bacteria that allows the tank to dissolve the wastes and continue to function properly.
Take care of nature and your community with regular septic maintenance
In southwest Florida, regular septic tank maintenance is essential to maintaining a healthy community. In high density areas like Ft. Myers, Cape Coral, and Lehigh, a septic tank backup can both harm the health of your entire community, and cause a discomforting stench. Also remember, taking care of your tank is an important part of taking care of the environment. In the waterfront areas of Ft. Myers, Cape Coral, and Bonita Springs, a septic tank with too much sludge could be leaking wastewater right into the soil, which eventually seeps into our beautiful waterways and beaches. By taking extra precautions, we can be sure to keep southwest Florida beautiful.
A few safety precautions
Always remember your septic tank is full of harmful wastes. Be sure to take these extra precautions when it’s time to have your tank pumped:
- Make sure the septic pumping contractor is licensed and bonded
- Clean the system every 1 to 3 years
- No system can decompose all the materials you put into the tank
- Your septic system contains deadly gases and harmful pathogens so be cautious when the tank is open
- Never smoke near a septic tank
- Never go down into a septic tank because gases may cause an immediate loss of consciousness
- Always wash your hands and your clothes after working with the septic tank
Again, always remember that when it’s time for your septic tank to be pumped, the best thing to do is call a licensed and bonded contractor. Only then can you assure that our beautiful southwest Florida communities and nature preserves will be safe from harmful contaminants.