A Fear of Foul Odor is No Reason to Avoid Pumping
Are you worried about a lingering bad smell with septic pumping? Has this concern caused you to put off this septic system maintenance? Wait no longer. Pumping is an important process to keep your septic tank operating efficiently. In fact, the United States Environmental Protection Agency recommends that homeowners should pump their septic tanks every three-to-five years.
If you experience slow draining or flushing, very green, thick grass over your drain field, or standing water on your property, this could mean it’s well past time to pump your septic tank. This month, let our team at Montgomery Sanitation Services, Inc., ease your worries and explain the septic system pumping process to you.
What Causes the Bad Smell Inside of a Septic Tank?
First, though, let’s discuss what happens inside a septic tank. A septic tank is an underground, watertight tank, usually made of fiberglass or concrete. Waste from the house or place of business flows into this tank. There is an inlet pipe entering the septic tank and an outlet pipe exiting the tank. The waste collects in the septic tank and, over time, separates into three layers. Grease and oil, also known as scum, float to the top of the tank on the waste water, also known as effluent. The solid waste drops to the bottom of the tank. The waste water releases through the outlet pipe into the drain field. As we discussed a couple of months ago, the process then strips away unhealthy microorganisms and contaminants from the effluents. This leaves only water in surrounding soil. The solid waste, or sludge, remains in the tank. Here, bacteria will break it down over time.
Gases release from the waste inside the septic tank. As the bacteria break down the solid waste, they also produce gases. These gases include methane, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen sulfide. The foul odor inside a septic tank is a product of these gases.
A homeowner or business owner should not be able to smell the foul odor normally, as a septic tank is sealed tight. If you can detect smells inside or outside of your home or business, or you can smell the foul odors around your drain field, there is a problem. Call our team at Montgomery Sanitation Services, Inc., today. We can diagnose the issue and fix it right.
What Happens When We Pump Your Tank?
After a few years of this process, it is time to pump out your septic system. This is definitely not a DIY project. You need to hire a qualified, reliable, and expert sanitation service, such as Montgomery Sanitation Services, Inc., to pump your septic tank. When we pump your septic system, we will first locate and remove the lid to your septic tank. If you aren’t sure where it is, it’s okay; we can find it. Our team will then inspect the effluent level in the septic tank and compare it to the pipe to the drain field, to find any possible leaks or other problems. We then insert a hose from our vacuum truck into the septic tank and begin to pump the waste. After we finish pumping the tank, we will wash it out with clean water to break down any remaining solid waste. We also inspect the septic system at this time, to find any small issues before they become big problems, before closing the lid.
We’re Sorry, But It Will Smell a Little Bit
Now, back to the big question: Will a bad smell linger when we pump your septic tank? The answer is yes. Sorry, it may smell a little bit. This is normal. We have just sucked all of the waste water and solid waste out of your septic tank. This procedure stirs up those gases we mentioned before, and they may float back up into your home, office, or place of business. But be patient. The smell should dissipate after a couple of hours. You can pour water down your drains to help combat the smell.
Again, this is no reason to put off your septic tank pumping. What would you rather deal with: a faint foul odor for an hour or two, or a costly, nasty mess in the future, caused by your neglect of proper maintenance?
A broken toilet seal or failing plumbing vents will cause you to smell the odor after septic system pumping and maintenance, too. However, if you have either of these issues, you were already smelling foul odors before, so the pumping process only adds to it. Call a plumber right away to fix these problems.
Montgomery Sanitation Services, Inc., Serves the New River Valley
When you need superior septic tank pumping and maintenance in the New River Valley, make the smart choice and call Montgomery Sanitation Services, Inc. We are always professional and always efficient. You will never have to worry about any waste spillage on your property. Our team has the knowledge, skill, and experience to properly pump and perform maintenance on any and all residential and commercial septic systems.
When was the last time you had your septic system pumped out? If it’s been awhile, or you can’t even remember, it’s time to call the New River Valley’s septic system authority, Montgomery Sanitation Services, Inc. Whether you are in Christiansburg, Radford, or Blacksburg, we will be there with quality pumping and maintenance and courteous customer service. Throughout Montgomery County and all of the New River Valley, remember our name. Contact us today for a free quote.
For more information on septic tank pumping and maintenance, call Montgomery Sanitation Services, Inc., at (540) 382-2205. Like us on Facebook for updates. Will you really neglect proper maintenance for fear of a bad smell with septic pumping?