The septic tank is the place where the first stage of wastewater treatment occurs. The conditions in the tanks are ideal for bacterial growth. The bacteria utilize the organic waste as food. After the bacteria digest the food, it settles to the bottom of the tank and is identified as “sludge”. Very little of the soaps, fats and grease are eaten by the bacteria and because they are lighter than water; these continue to float on top of the water. This build up is known as “scum”. The area between the sludge and scum is known as the “clear zone”. This is the zone of treated wastewater that moves out of the septic tank to the next component of the disposal system. Gases generated during liquefaction are normally vented through the building’s plumbing vents.

At least every 3-5 years: The industry recommendation, guided by the Department of Environmental Quality, is to pump your system every three to five years. Heavier usage, leaky toilets or faucets, foreign items introduced into the system, or use of non septic friendly chemicals can influence the time between maintenance, increasing the frequency necessary to keep your system working well. Click here to schedule septic tank pumping.

l Keep a record of tank location – Either you or the septic technician can draw a sketch, showing the location of your tank in relation to your yard and house.

l Note how deep the tank is buried – For easier servicing, have risers installed. They will pay for themselves the first time you have your next service by avoiding any labor charges for digging.

l Note the “size” or volume of tank – The septic size, in gallons, dictates the amount you will pay for service. You are charged by volume. Keep a record of the ”size”. This will help you figure the price for service, in the future. Keep in mind that the amount of material pumped from the septic tank can be greater than the capacity of the septic tank if it overfilled and backed up – what is being pumped is not just the contents of the tank, but the overflow, as well.

l Keep tabs on condition – Ask the technician how the tank looks, is it structurally o.k. Are the baffles or tees in place, and what is the overall condition? Are there problems that need prompt attention? Preventative maintenance is always less expensive and more convenient than correcting emergency problems.

Yes! Proper maintenance, which includes pumping at least every 3-5 years, is essential to extending the life of your septic system. When your tank is pumped out, the leaching portion of your system is able to take a brief break from receiving any liquid. You may also want to inquire as to whether you should have your system cleaned during your regular maintenance visit.

Septic odors do not necessarily indicate that it is time to pump your tank:

Odors Inside– If you detect odor inside your home, make sure that all “P” traps, or drains, have water in them. When a sink, shower, toilet, or even washing machine drain is not used for an extended period of time, the water in a trap can evaporate, allowing the septic gases to enter the house back through the dried trap. The P trap is designed specifically to hold water, forming a barrier for odor. Simply run water in the drain for a few minutes to remedy a dry, or empty, trap. You should also check the seal (gasket) around the base of your toilets. A broken seal can allow odors into the home. You can replace the gasket yourself, or contact a plumber for service. Odors could also be coming in from the roof vents, in which case you can purchase and install charcoal filters.

Odors Outside– Septic odor outside the house could be coming from the septic tank, the vent pipe on the roof, or the vent pipe at the end of your leach field (if you have one). Septic gases are a naturally occurring side effect of the septic water treatment process. These gases can and will escape out of any small opening. To eliminate an odor from the septic tank cover, place a small amount of dirt over the cover to act as a filter. Odor detected in the air may be coming from the vent pipe on the room (over the bathroom). This pipe vents the septic gasses from the house out through the roof. A charcoal filter can eliminate the odor coming from the vent pipe at the end of the leach field.

If the odor seems to be coming from the ground, and the ground is wet, appears black, or heavy vegetation growth is visible around the tank or pit/ field area, you should schedule a visit with your septic technician as soon as possible. There may be some problems.

This subject is an ongoing debate in the industry. A bacteria treatment can be added to your system to help maintain live bacteria levels. The treatments can be administered monthly. Treatment can be as simple as flushing a pre- measured packet of bacteria/ enzymes down the toilet. You can also have your septic technician add a treatment directly to the system during a routine maintenance visit. If someone has been ill, and on prescription medication, or heavy cleaning has been done, resulting in bleach or bacteria or other harsh chemical use, a bacteria treatment may be a good idea to help bring the system back into balance. Never let solvents or paint thinners enter your system.

Always call A- American Septic first. We can ask you questions to help you diagnose whether your symptoms might be attributed to plumbing issues, or if you are truly experiencing a septic system problem. Most plumbers have little or no septic experience, so you could be wasting money by calling a plumber first. We get many service call orders from plumbers who are unable to remedy a customer’s problems.

County health departments issue permits and inspect systems as they are installed. If your system has been installed in the last 20 years, you may be able to find a sketch of the layout of the system attached to the original permit (Only in the last 8-10 years have these permit drawings been required to have a high level of accuracy). You can request a permit search from Maricopa County Environmental Services by submitting their form. A- American Septic can help you with filing out the form, for no charge. If you prefer, we can submit the request for you, for a fee.