Most homeowners rely upon municipal sewage service, but those who own homes equipped with Septic Charlottesville must handle any wastewater issues that arise. You can hire a professional septic service company, but even the pros can have a hard time if you don’t practice proper maintenance. To help keep your system in tip-top shape, here are some tips on testing and treatment.
Treatments: When to Use, and What They Do
Your septic system handles all water that exits your home, and that water contains several contaminants. These can build up in the tank, as well as the entry and exit pipes. Because pipes and the tank are underground, keeping them clean is tricky without the correct tools. A microbial septic tank treatment can eat away deposits in your system, and if used regularly, they can keep the tank running efficiently.
However, a single treatment probably won’t solve problems created by years of neglect, and it’s best to stick to a regular maintenance and treatment schedule. Your tank and household size largely determine that schedule, and frequency can also depend on the treatment you use. Treatments introduce organisms into your system, and you need to remember that certain household cleaners can kill these organisms.
Pumping the Tank
Treatments can do a lot, but it is wise to have your system pumped periodically. Pumping frequency depends on your location, the size of your household and the size of your septic tank. A septic service contractor can inspect your tank once it’s pumped, identifying problems with baffles, cracking, rusting or corrosion before they get out of hand.
Tank Testing
Septic tanks are underground, and issues usually aren’t noticed until they are severe. When buying a home equipped with a septic system, tank testing is a must, but you should also test at least once a year. It is possible to test your own tank, but due to the difficult and dangerous nature of the work, it is better left to a professional.
Septic Charlottesville tank testing is relatively inexpensive, especially compared to the cost of system replacement. However, most contractors charge by the hour, and testing goes much faster if you know where your tank is located.
If you don’t know where it is, you should have it marked. Some tanks are plastic, and can be damaged under heavy weight. Locating your tank makes maintenance easier, and it can prevent very messy problems in the future.
