Waste management is a critical part of every building, and everything possible must be done to ensure that the building has a proper waste management system for human occupancy. There are several ways to achieve excellent waste management, with installing a septic tank being one of the options. A septic system is crucial to a property's wastewater management, especially in areas where municipal sewage systems are unavailable. You need to understand how the septic tanks work and the best maintenance practices to get the best result from their installation. Once you understand everything it entails, you get to save a lot, like the environment, your family, and your pocket from any dangers of having a faulty septic tank. Here are a few things you need to know about septic tanks. 

How Septic Systems Work

A septic tank is a decentralized wastewater treatment system primarily used in rural and suburban areas where municipal sewage systems are unavailable. The septic tank consists of the following main parts:

The septic tank is the underground chamber that receives raw wastewater from your household. Solid waste from the building settles at the bottom of the septic tank, forming sludge, while lighter materials like grease float to the top as scum. The tanks have septic tank pumping Chattanooga bacteria, which break down the organic matter. The environment within the septic tank must be well maintained for the entire process to work well; hence, it isn't advisable to use chemicals that could lead to the destruction of the bacteria in the septic tank. 

The drain field is the outlet where the liquid from the septic tank gets deposited and must be a slope for easy flow of the water. The wastewater exits the septic tank and is discharged into the drain field for further treatment by the soil. The partially treated wastewater is pushed into the drain field for further treatment every time new wastewater enters the tank. (1) The liquid gets treated by the soil before it enters the groundwater, preventing contamination of the environment and water bodies.

It would help if you kept a keen eye on your septic tank to note the different problems it might have affecting its efficiency. Recognizing the signs early is essential to address them before they grow into a more dire and critical condition. There are signs of septic tank problems, like slow drains, unpleasant odours, and lush green patches in the yard near the drain field. Gurgling sounds in plumbing fixtures and sewage backups are also red flags that demand immediate attention. Whenever you notice such signs, you need to call professional septic tank pumping companies in the Chattanooga area to correct the defects before they damage the entire system. Also, proper and timely inspections ensure that the septic tank is in perfect working condition and is not prone to any damages or breakages.

Proper septic tank maintenance is essential to keep the tank functioning optimally and not expose the property dwellers to risks and challenges. The proper maintenance practices include the following:

You need to regularly pump the septic tank every three to five years to prevent sludge and scum buildup. The regular septic tank pumping Chattanooga helps to maintain optimal efficiency, keeping the septic tank from clogging and overflowing. You also need to understand the different factors that determine the pumping intervals, like the size of your family, to avoid staying too long without pumping the septic tank, resulting in its being faulty.

Excessive water usage can lead to the system being overloaded, thereby making it not function well. To avoid the overload, you need to minimize or limit water usage, leaving the septic tank in good functioning condition. For water overloading issues, contact a professional septic tank pumping Chattanooga, TN, contractor to install water-efficient fixtures. Also, you can spread laundry loads over the weeks to prevent the septic tank from overloading.

The septic tank requires a healthy environment for the bacteria to survive and do the work they are supposed to do in breaking down the solid waste. Using harsh chemicals puts the bacteria at risk of being killed, leaving the septic tank with piled-up solid waste that can't be broken down. You should avoid harsh chemicals, like excessive grease, so as not to have a Chattanooga septic tank pumping with a solid waste pile up.

The drain field is the septic tank fluid disposal point, where the water gets treated by the soil before joining the natural water. One of the objectives of using a septic tank is to prevent any form of pollution, which is why you need to protect the drain field to purify the water well. Avoid soil compacting the soil over the drain field with heavy machinery or parking vehicles; plant grass to prevent soil erosion and provide a protective cover. The cost to pumping septic tank in Chattanooga, TN professionals recommend safeguarding the drain field as a crucial measure to shield the environment from potential pollution caused by septic tank emissions.

Regular inspections determine the septic tanks' functionality and structural ability to continue discharging their duties as expected. You should conduct routine inspections of the septic tank and drain field. If you notice the above, you should immediately take lately takes precautions to protect the septic tank from further damage.

For more information on Flush Fellas Septic & Excavating and our services, feel free to reach us via phone today: (423) 498-9839.