If you’re living in Tunkhannock or any town in the USA where your plumbing isn’t being serviced by a landlord, you’ve probably had to deal with your own plumbing issues, at least since you acquired your own home. One of the more grueling tasks that come with plumbing is septic tank maintenance.
Normally, a septic tank needs to be maintenance every one to three years, so you probably haven’t thought much of it. However, if you neglect your septic tank, you’ll find it can sprout plenty of other problems with your plumbing, such as clogged leach lines, contaminated soil, and leach failure. If you think it’s time to take a look at that tank, here are a few basics you should know about taking care of your septic tank maintenance in Tunkhannock, PA.
Doing Some Digging
If your tank is underground, as many septic tanks are, you’ll probably need to do some digging to perform proper septic tank maintenance. So grab a shovel, locate your tank, and start displacing some dirt and mud to get to the tank itself.
Check Your Connections
Flushing the toilet, running the sinks and showers, and starting the washing machine are good ways to determine if all your sources of water are functioning properly and without blockage.
Checking the Tank
The tank itself can also be prone to decay. It’s important to check for any cracks on the walls or signs of failure in the drain field.
Measuring the Sludge
This is where it gets really tricky. Septic tank maintenance operators will often use special tools to measure the amount of sludge found within the tank, as it is found at the bottom of the tank itself. If the amount of sludge is equal to one-third or more of the liquid depth, it’s time for the tank to be pumped. When your tank needs to be pumped, it’s recommended that you call a plumbing contractor. Only plumbing contractors, such as Tunkhannock’s own Draintech Inc., have the capabilities to properly drain and dispose of the septic tank’s scum and sludge.
