A septic tank is normally used in connection with wastewater disposal in a home. The tank removes the solids from the wastewater that ultimately travels down drains. The waste that is removed originates from the laundry, kitchen, and bathroom in the home.
How a Septic System Works
The solids that the tank collects usually float to the surface as a scum layer or settle to the bottom of the septic tank as sludge. The clear effluent is then transported for extra treatment or is dispensed to a soil absorption space such as a sand mound. Removing solids from wastewater safeguards the soil absorption space from obstructions and failures. While half of the solids that are captured in a septic tank decompose, the remaining residue builds up in the tank.
How a Septic System Failure Occurs
If a septic tank is properly sized, it should adequately and safely store as much as three years of scum and sludge. If you go beyond the three-year period and do not contract a service for septic tank pumping in Apopka, FL, the clear wastewater that is captured in the septic tank is held for a smaller period of time. That is because the removal process become less efficient and the additional solids begin to drain into the absorption spot.
What Happens If a Failure Occurs?
If too much sludge builds up, you definitely will need to contract with a septic tank pumping services contractor as the leftover solids will escape to the absorption area and cause a system failure. If this happens, wastewater may surface in the yard and produce dangerous wet areas. Or, septic failure may lead to the wastewater backing up inside the house.
If you want to avoid the aforementioned issues, then you need to make it a priority to schedule Apopka septic tank pumping services regularly, or every three years on average. How often you employ pumping is dependent on a number of factors including the capacity of your tank, the wastewater volume, and the accumulation of solids in the wastewater.