2 minute read
Pumping for Septic System Maintenance
by Expert Contributors Dave DiGregorio & TJ Dell’Arciprete, Owners of Delaware Valley Septic, Sewer & Storm
The saying “Out of sight, out of mind” rings true for most homeowners when talking about their septic system. One of the best things you can do for your system is to pump it out on a regular basis. All pipes from your house lead to your septic tank, so everything you use with water ends up in your tank. Just like our own health, the better we treat ourselves, the healthier we feel. So the cleaner you keep your septic tank environment, the better you’re treating your overall system.
A septic tank environment has three layers: The scum layer is made up of grease, carbohydrates, proteins, fat and oils, all of which are light enough to float to the top of the tank. Heavier debris settles in the bottom of the tank. Wastewater that separates the upper and lower layers (effluent) is essentially water and small particles. The thicker the bottom layer of the tank, the darker the effluent and the more staining that’s left on the drain field soils after percolation. That staining, known as the BIOmat, is what makes drain fields fail and need replacement. With regular pumping maintenance, your septic system will last as long as possible.
Most homeowners think once they pump their septic tank, it doesn’t fill back up for years. That’s not necessarily the case. It could fill back up within a week or so, depending on water usage in your home. The recommended pumping frequency is every one to three years because that’s how long it takes for solids to accumulate in the tank environment. Keeping accumulated solids and debris to a minimum keeps the effluent cleaner before it reaches the system’s drainage component. That is the main goal! Completing regular maintenance procedures that cost a few hundred dollars is smarter than spending tens of thousands of dollars to replace septic system drain fields.
How will you know when it’s time for a septic system pumping? It all depends on a few factors:
• The number of people in your household: The more people, the more water you’re likely to use.
• How much water you use regularly: The more you use, the more often your tank will require septic system pumping.
• If you have a garbage disposal: You’ll typically need pumping more frequently because a large amount of solids regularly enter your tank.
With all these factors in mind, septic tank pumping is, on average, needed every one to three years. The cost of pumping is usually lower than a sewer bill, and it’s the best way to correctly treat and maintain your on-site system.
DELAWARE VALLEY SEPTIC, SEWER & STORM
Newtown Square’s Experts for Septic, Sewer and Storm Services
610-947-4800
www.4DelVal.com
504 Eagle Rd, Suite B, Springfield
Our hard working crew!
Delaware Valley Septic, Sewer & Storm is a family-run business that has been prioritizing customer service and providing the most reliable septic, sewer & storm services for over 30 years.
Our services include: Septic, Sewer & Storm Water Installations • Septic & Sewer Inspection • Septic & Storm Pumping • Sewer & Drain Cleaning • Repairs & Maintenance
