A Septic Tank Serves a Very Important Purpose
A septic system basically works in this fashion:
Waste water will drain from a home or business from one main pipe in a septic tank, referred to as the inlet line. The tank is water-tight, typically made of concrete, and lies buried on the property. It will hold that waste water as solid waste settles to the bottom and the liquids float to the top. The solid waste that settles is “sludge,” and the floating liquid is “scum.” The remaining waste water, or “effluent,” then escapes the septic tank and filters into and through a drain field.
If you don’t already know whether you have a septic system, the United States Environmental Protection Agency offers these clues: Your home or business relies on well water; the waterline entering your building does not have a meter; the neighboring properties use a septic system; and your water bill or property tax bill shows “$0.00 sewer amount charged.”
So now that you know if you have a septic tank and what its specific function is, the next step is determining how and when to pump and maintain it to keep it doing its job effectively and efficiently.
How Can Homeowners and Business Owners Maintain a Septic Tank?
First and foremost, please remember this: Pumping, cleaning, and maintaining a septic system is not a DIY project for the weekend. Do yourself a huge favor, and call the professionals here at Montgomery Sanitation Services, Inc. in Christiansburg, VA. We know all of the proper methods and have the necessary experience to always perform an outstanding job while pumping and cleaning any residential or commercial septic tank.
When our team of experts pumps out a septic system, we will pump and clean out the scum and the sludge, check the inlet and outlet lines and evaluate the overall condition of the septic tank. And while that seems like a fairly quick, cut-and-dry service, if the septic system has not been properly maintained, it may require more time to properly perform the service.
Tips to Keep Your Septic Systems in Order Between Pumping Appointments
Here are some things, however, that homeowners and business owners can do to help maintain their septic systems include:
- Keeping an eye on how long it has been since their last pumping and maintenance service. In a normal situation, we should pump a septic tank every three to five years. If it has been that long (or longer!) since their last pumping, cleaning, and maintenance, they should call us today and make an appointment;
- Maintaining easy accessibility to the septic tank’s lid, like installing a riser;
- Being water-wise in their day-to-day life or business operations;
- And directing runoff water from drains, downspouts, and landscaping away from the septic system’s drain field.
Don’t Let Your Septic System Be “Out of Sight, Out of Mind”
We get it; for many people, “out of sight” means “out of mind.” But homeowners and business owners really should be proactive in maintaining regular service on their septic systems. Well, you may ask, why is septic tank pumping, cleaning, and maintenance so important? Let us give you several reasons why:
First, like any other system, proper cleaning and maintenance will extend a septic system’s life and improve its efficiency. Though there is no guarantee how long a septic system may last before repairs and replacements may be needed, keeping up with adequate maintenance is the first place to start as a preventative measure. Pumping the septic tank will remove excess waste that can clog and back up the lines going from the residence or business to the septic tank and from the septic tank leading to the drain field.
With that in mind, proper and regular pumping and cleaning will also protect your home or business and the surrounding property. When a septic tank overfills or clogs, it can cause sewage to come to the surface of the ground and back up into toilets. You can just imagine the damage – and the smell – this unpleasant situation will create. Untreated waste water can also seep into wells and other water sources beneath the ground. This can be a major health risk for families, employees, and neighbors.
Pumping a septic tank will keep a system operating well for decades to come. This will also increase the property value, as prospective new owners will be very, very happy about a well-maintained septic system.
Pumping and Cleaning Septic Tanks All Across the New River Valley
Thankfully, when people need septic tank pumping, septic system cleaning and maintenance, and even emergency service and repairs, they have an amazing option: Our dependable team of experts at Montgomery Sanitation Services, Inc.! We proudly provide our entire area with reliable, remarkable septic system service, from our home base in Christiansburg, VA, into Blacksburg, VA, and across Montgomery County, VA. Our service also extends out to Radford, VA; Pulaski County, VA; Giles County, VA; and Floyd County, VA! We understand that a septic system issue needs addressed quickly, so our team will respond as soon as we can. We always offer free quotes on every job.
Montgomery Sanitation Services, Inc., has served the New River Valley and surrounding areas for more than six decades, and we proudly continue to do so. We care about our neighbors and our communities, and we want their septic systems to work at peak efficiency, keeping families, employees, and the environment safe. When you need septic tank pumping, cleaning, and maintenance, make the smart choice, and call us!
For more information on septic tank pumping, cleaning, and maintenance, call Montgomery Sanitation Services, Inc., at (540) 382-2205. Like us on Facebook, too!