Septic tanks are an excellent option for sewage disposal if you live in a rural area or an area that lacks a cheap distributed plumbing option. Since a septic tank is a self-contained purification system, your are entirely responsible for every step of the process. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance that you maintain your septic tank, so here's a breakdown on the do's and don'ts:
Waste Disposal
The most important thing to understand about your septic tank is that it will receive any and all waste that you put in your drains, toilets, or sinks. This means that every bit of food and cleaning agent that you put into your plumbing will end up travelling through your septic tank. Unfortunately, some waste material can greatly inhibit the purifying properties of your septic tank.
For instance, greasy foods and coffee grounds can contribute to the buildup of scum in your septic tank, which is an insoluble layer that sits on top of the water in your septic tank.
Similarly, plastics and other materials that don't break down can clog up your septic tank and create blockages. These blockages can lead to an extreme buildup of waste in your pipes or septic tank, which will then prevent your plumbing from functioning.
Finally, you need to be extremely careful about any chemicals that you put into your septic tank. Toxic substances such as bleach should not be dumped into your septic tank, since the chemicals in these substances can easily disrupt the balance of helpful bacteria in your septic tank. Drain cleaners are particularly dangerous, since only a very small amount is required in order to cause catastrophic damage to the ecology of a septic tank.
Inspections
Even if you are extremely vigilant about monitoring your dumping habits, you will still need to get inspections for your septic tank. This means hiring a specialized inspector who will come to your property and take several measurements of your septic tank in order to gauge the general health of the system.
Normally, this means using a measuring device to determine the depth of three separate levels: the scum, the waste water, and the sludge. Ideally, you want to have very shallow scum and sludge layers, with a fairly deep and clear waste water layer. As your septic tank filters out waste over time, the scum layer will grow as insoluble liquids and fats are processed, while the sludge layer will grow as dense materials are deposited.
If your sludge or scum layer become too deep, then you might need to schedule a thorough cleaning of your septic tank (with companies like Southern Sanitary Systems Inc).
Share31 March 2015
When it comes to ordering industrial equipment for a new business or big project, it can be tough trying to keep track of everything that needs attention. Not only do you have to make sure that your new equipment is in proper working order, but you need to learn about the warranties and insurance plans that come with them in case of an accident or breakdown. You also have to make sure that employees are properly trained about how to manage and maintain the new equipment. There is no need to invest in costly training programs for successful implementation of your new equipment – you can use the tips and tricks on this blog to get the job done.
