The septic tank system is the most common method of waste disposal

The system is costly and requires regular maintenance and sometimes repairs. The toilet, sink and shower drain in your home empty out into a septic tank. The solid waste is held in the tank and the liquid is absorbed into the soil. Septic tanks are intended to dispose of biological waste safely.

If you are a homebuyer, you need to know about septic tanks

There are some things you need to do and information that you need to know prior to the purchase of a home. You will need to know where the septic tank system is located on the property and complete a visual inspection to be sure that you will not have the cost of replacing it later. You should also inquire as to the history of the septic tank from the seller or inspector. They should be able to tell you the previous schedule of the septic tank cleaning. Locate the site of the septic tank and leaching fields. If there are no sinkholes visible and the area looks okay to walk over, be sure to check the entire area. You should be looking for any seepage or overflow, which will create a wet or smelly area. If you notice rocky areas or those that look as though there has been recent digging or work completed, you want to find out the history. It is not unusual for the leaching area to be very lush or green. While this may indicate a problem with the site, this is not always the case. If you see additional indications of a problem in the area, greenery may confirm the problem. Consider how the surrounding area and environment will affect the septic tank system. As the liquid waste is to be absorbed into the soil, this may not be possible if the amount of waste is high and combines with large volumes of rainwater or other natural run-off sources such as streams or rivers. The run-off area will need to be slightly higher than, or at least level with the surrounding areas. If it is depressed or falls below it will collect rather than running off.

Septic tank cleaning should be scheduled to avoid damage

If the sludge accumulates too high within the tank it will seep out to the leach field. To avoid this, schedule your septic tank pumping for every two to four years. The cost is generally a few hundred dollars but will save you great expense in the long run. The term Gray Water refers to laundry waste including detergents and cleaners or other household chemicals. The system is designed to handle a reasonable amount of gray water. However, excessive amounts should be avoided along with toxic chemicals, poisons, etc. If these are processed in excessive amounts, the septic tank cleaning tank should be scheduled to occur more frequently.

Interested in septic tank? Get your project started by submitting a free BuyerZone request for septic system price quotes.