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A septic tank is expensive to install but you’ll be happy with the investment you made because of the longevity it offers. It will quietly work at managing your wastewater out of sight and it requires very little maintenance if you are using it properly. That includes requirements stipulated by the authorities which specify the septic tank cleaning in Loxton guidelines. Riverland Tank and Drain offers septic tank cleaning and septic tank pumping services in the area and we know from our portfolio of clients that a septic tank can last you decades.
A septic system can last 20 years and even up to 40 years if it’s properly looked after. The system will be buried underground somewhere on your property and most of the time you won’t even notice it’s there. It is a system that’s designed to keep chugging along for years and it may outlive many of the other plumbing systems on your property. There are multiple fail-safes built into the system to make sure that you never have to replace it unless there is a large-scale emergency. The most common reason for malfunctioning septic tank systems is a lack of maintenance. If you’re not keeping up with the required frequency of pump outs and cleaning, the system will be overrun by sludge and get more clogged up by the day. It’s a requirement of the law that you employ a licensed and experienced technician to handle routine septic tank cleaning in Loxton.
Using a professional is the best way to make sure that your septic tank system is properly designed and perfectly installed. It’s these types of installations that can make or break your system’s decades-long lifespan capability. It will either survive for multiple decades, in the best-case scenario or fail in just a few years, depending on how you take care of it. Maintaining a healthy septic tank system in Loxton is not expensive and is easy to budget for. You can expect to pay a few hundred dollars every 3 or 4 years if it’s for an average-sized household. However, if you fail to do what’s required, you can easily expect to pay tens of thousands of dollars to dig up and completely replace a septic tank system that has crashed due to system failure.
There are three main elements of maintenance you should be aware of:
Long-term pumping and desludging
Pumping should happen at least once a year and it is the more frequent removal of sludge and scum. Doing so slows down the growth of bacterial action in your tank and eliminates any buildup that could cause clogging. Depending on the size and usage of your septic tank system, it might need a good pump every year or only every three years. Ask a Riverland Tank and Drain technician to make an informed recommendation about how often your residential or commercial tank will need pumping. Desludging is the more specific process of removing completely the layers of hazardous scum and sludge from your primary septic tank. This is usually done with a large vacuum truck that pumps them out through the top access lid for removal.
Mid-term checks
The onus is on the property owner for this one and it’s just to survey your septic tank system for any signs of overflowing every now and then. The signs are obvious to spot and should be addressed if you happen to notice them. Signs include a sudden presence of an overwhelming and unpleasant smell, puddles and soggy ground around the septic tank openings and grass that looks greener than usual.
Day-to-day usage
You can easily extend the lifespan of your septic tank system if you closely monitor, minimise, and manage the volume of its usage. By inspecting and regulating how much water enters the system, you can improve the lifespan and operation of the main system and the leach drain. The Government of South Australia advises the following:
- Make sure to do regular checks of all the plumbing fixtures on your property for leaking. This includes taps and toilets. Have them repaired as soon as possible because the leaks can affect proper septic tank operation.
- Make sure that roof water does not end up in the system or in the drainage
- opt for the use of water-saving devices like modern shower heads, dual flush toilet cisterns and taps that minimise water use
- If your septic tank system is on sloped terrain, surface water from storms or otherwise should be diverted to draining and soakage areas away from the septic tank system.
- Adjust your washing patterns by doing fewer loads of large amounts of clothing instead of frequent small load washes. This is best to avoid large flows of water to the system happening often in a short time. It might also be better to use the dishwasher for the same purpose.
Get in Touch today!
Riverland Tank and Drain offers emergency overflow and a range of other domestic and commercial tank and drains services in Barmera, Loxton, Renmark, Glossop, Berri, Monash, Loveday, Winkie and Cobdogla and the surrounding suburbs. We strongly advise that you AVOID opening and inspecting the septic tank yourself as it is against national guidelines. The tank is filled with toxic gases that are very dangerous if you encounter them. A specialist is trained to identify what the issue is and give you a detailed explanation about the next plan of action. It might be a pump out, treatment or activation. We’ve given you a guide for recognizing signs with your septic tank but they’re not definite indications that you need a full pump out, it might require an alternative fix. Riverland Tank and Drain will help you assess the severity of the situation and a solution for the required services.
Let us help you with the septic tank planning, installation and upkeep on your building, office, or home. Call us on 08 8102 0998 or visit our contact us page to get a free quote.