There are certain things that you simply have to do when you own certain items. If you have a car, you change the oil. If you don’t, the engine stops working. It’s that simple. It’s something you have to do if you want your vehicle to keep running efficiently and effectively. Likewise, if you own a home with a septic tank, you have to get septic tank pumping in Napa, CA done every so often. What happens if you move into a home with a septic tank and pumping has never been done? What if you have a septic tank and you simply ignore it? Here are a few elements you will see happening—none of them good.
Sludge Buildup
No one really wants to think about what’s in their septic tank, but the fact is that there’s plenty of sludge if the tank has never been pumped out. Sludge buildup is a gradual thing that develops over time. The point of the septic tank is to take solid wastes, break it down, and distribute it into the drain field. But sludge will still build up in the tank (more rapidly if you put things down the drain you shouldn’t). Once the sludge builds up too far, the tank is full.
Drains Slow Down
Once the sludge builds up high enough within your septic tank, the drains in your home will start to slow down. You might notice water in your sink after you brush your teeth, draining away slowly. You might see water standing in the tub as you shower. The drains are slow because there’s nowhere to put the extra water being washed down the tubes. It’s still going down, but the slowness shows you that something worse is coming if you don’t address the issues right away.
Backups Occur
The slow drains will happen first, but if you ignore even that, you will start to see dirty water backing up into your home. No one wants that kind of wastewater in their house. Toilets might overflow, drains might back up and kick water back out, and showers could even see sludge coming back up. Backups of this kind are about the last thing you want happening in your house.
Septic tanks need to be pumped out every 3-5 years without exception. You should either get on a regular schedule or watch for the signs that your septic tank is full. Waiting too long will bring unwanted (and costly) issues that you don’t want to have to address.
If you are noticing these signs, and you think septic tank pumping in Napa, CA is necessary, contact the professionals at American Sanitation Inc for help. We can inspect your septic tank, give you advice on maintenance, pump it out, and tell you what you should and should not put down the drains, among other things. We’re here to help you understand the system so you can live in peace alongside it as easily as possible.