Septic Tank Pumping
We advise the following to care and maintain your septic tanks system
- Regular inspections and pumping
- Ensure that only human waste is routed to the tank
- Maintain your drain field in an optimal condition
- Ensure the water is used efficiently and only route water to the septic system that is absolutely necessary
- Install grey water systems and reuse this in the garden especially for fruit and nut trees
The average 4 head family household’s septic tank be inspected every 2 to 3 years by a professional but the following factors will have a bearing on the suggested pumping frequency of your septic tank:
- The size of your household
- The amount of sewerage processed by your system
- The amount solid waste in your sewerage water
- The size of your septic tank
- Whether your septic tanks has float switches, pumps or mechanical elements that may require more regular maintenance.
- A service contract should be drawn up laying out among other things the frequency with which your septic system is pumped and serviced.
Preparing to pump your septic tank systems
Ensure that your service provider checks your system for leaks
After inspection, your pumping service should inform you of the condition and level of the scum and sludge layers in your septic tank system.
It is important to maintain adequate records of any work performed on your septic tank system as well as records of the scum and sludge levels recorded. These records assist the homeowner to plan their pumping and maintenance schedule.
Check the “T” outlet connection to ensure that sludge and scum does not exit the tank system into your drain field. Once the scum layer in your septic system is within 150-200mm of this “T” outlet, it is time to pump your system.
Since 1983
The importance of using water efficiently
One manner in which to make your septic system more efficient is to reduce the amount of water flowing through your system. The typical South African family uses about 200 litres of water per person per day. It is important to realise that a leaking toilet can easily waste up to 900 litres of water per day, unnecessarily adding pressure to a septic system, decreasing it’s efficacy and even leading to it’s failure.
Toilets
Household toilet use constitutes 25 to 30% of a household’s consumption.
We recommend that household who have septic systems be fitted with high efficiency, double flush toilets so as to reduce the amount of water flowing through the system. The difference in water use by older toilets which use between 15 to 25 litres of water and new systems is stark with modern systems using 7 to 10 litres. Be sure that only human waste and toilet paper are flushed down the toilet. Anything else can lead to blockages, especially products containing plastic.
The following should never be flushed down your toilets:
-
- Products containing grease or oil
- Baby wipes, wet wipes and make up wipes.
- Photographic chemicals
- Tampons and feminine products
- Condoms
- Dental Floss
- Baby diapers
- Cigarette Buts
- Coffee grounds
- Cat litter
- Paper and kitchen towels
- Pharmaceuticals
Routing household chemicals through your septic tank system or should be limited.
The following should never be flushed down the drain whether it be a septic or traditional municipal system:
- Petrol
- Oil diesel
- Paraffin
- Pesticides
- Antifreeze
- Paint
- Thinners
Taps and Showerheads:
Taps should be fitted with aerators which can be easily removed and cleaned or de-clogged. Low-flow showerheads typically use 9 litres of water per minute as opposed to 25 to 30 litres which is used by traditional showerheads.
Washing machines and your septic tank system
Most people know by now that washing small loads of laundry wastes water and electricity unnecessarily. Be sure that the correct laundry load setting is selected so as to minimise the amount of waste water.
Where a septic system is in use, it is better to spread out your laundry days rather than leaving everything for one day, thus overwhelming your septic system’s drain field.
When purchasing your new washing machine, be sure to look for models with the energy star rating as these can use up to half the amount of water and offer significant energy savings of up to 35% over other models.
Maintaining your septic tank’s drain field?
A drain field is a critical component of a septic tank’s system. The following precautions should be taken to ensure the longevity of your septic tank system.
- Never park vehicle over or near a septic tanks system
- Ensure that trees are never planter near a system as their roots can be extremely destructive
Ensure that gutter systems, sump pumps rainwater drainage systems etc are not routed via your septic tank system as too much water retards the anaerobic process required to break down human waste.
Grease trap pumping
Grease traps are typically concrete underground tanks into which oily water is deposited. These traps are constructed with deposits located before the municipal drain network designed to prevent oils and grease from contaminating the sewer network by trapping them.
It is important to note that grease traps need to be properly serviced and maintained so as not to fall foul or regulations. Typically these systems are installed in car wash operations, large restaurants, vehicle garages and food and industrial manufacturing plants that use any kind of grease in their manufacturing processes.
Depending on the size and number of layers of medium, grease traps should be inspected every 4-6 months and cleaned regularly to ensure that water is flowing freely.
Following these guidelines will ensure that your septic tank system functions optimally.
If you have any queries or rewire any additional information, please feel free to contact us.
Septic tank Pumping Services
Our fleet of septic pumping vehicles are fitted with the latest pumping technology ensure that we are able to offer a comprehensive range of sewerage and effluent pumping services. Trucks have spill kits installed and have vented exhaust systems thereby minimising any odours. In addition, our drivers and personnel are suitably trained and certified and equipped with the appropriate PPE.
We are a family owned company who have built a reputable business over generations, offering reliable septic tank pumping services.
Our dedicated septic pumping vehicles safely remove and dispose of your sewerage sludge into registered disposal sites as dictated by municipal regulations.
We can pump sewerage from the following types of deposits:
- Septic tanks
- Holding tanks
- Conservatory tanks.