Four Misconceptions about Septic Tank Pumping

In this post, you get to know to pump never or too infrequently are the worst ideas but we also warn you that pumping more often than required is more or less tossing your hard-earned money down the toilet. If you are a normal human being then you will never fantasize about septic tanks. Let us not use the term “fantasy” but “misconceptions about septic tank” that are worth clearing-up for taking care of your system effectively as well as save money.Misconception 1: Septic tank needs pumping whenever the tank gets fullA septic tank when in normal use is always full, right up to the bottom of the pipe outlet. After complete pumping, an empty septic tank will fill up again under normal use within a few days after which liquid effluent is again discharged to the absorption field, leach field or soakaway bed – these names differ by country. A septic pump-out is required when the thickness of the settled sludge layer and the floating scum layer occupy so much of the volume of the tank that the free liquid area becomes too small. Septic tank pump-out service is required when:•  The total depth of sludge plus scum layer is equal to one-third of the depth of the tank.•  The bottom of the tank outlet baffle has less than three inches of clearance from the bottom of the floating scum layer•  The bottom of the outlet baffle is less than six inches from the sludge’s top layer on the septic tank bottomMisconception 2: Chemicals and Additives will fix or extending the life of the septic systemIn any septic system designs not only chemicals, but treatments or additives also do little or no good, some may damage your system thereby causing frothing and solids are discharged to the drainfield. No expert will be recommending usage of septic additives or treatments and these substances are illegal in many jurisdictions in Canada and US. Moreover, these are environmental contaminants and toxic.Misconception 3: Some septic systems never require servicing, pumping, and cleaningIt is absolutely true that the frequency of septic tank pump-out service varies by wastewater volume being produced, size of the tank and design of the system. However, some systems need less frequent pumping for the same level of usage compared to other designs, but the matter of fact is every system needs periodic maintenance. Failure in maintaining the septic system properly is the main root cause of early failures.Misconception 4: Pumping out the tank can save or restore a failing or failed drainfieldSadly, a soakaway bed or drainfield that is in failure will require a minimum of five to ten years of total rest to recover enough to restore back to normal use. Then also the field will not be working if it is flooded or damaged by tree roots, vehicle traffic or other troubles. By doing extra septic tank pump-out service in a failed drainfield area is a few days of wastewater disposal and toilet flushing into the tank until it fills up again and again desperately trying to push the wastewater effluent into the soakaway bed.