Find Out the Conditions When Pumping Out Your Septic Tank System May Be a Bad Idea
Maintenance is key to having a properly functioning septic tank system. One of the components of maintaining your septic tank system is having it pumped out. Apart from ongoing maintenance, pumping out your septic tank might be a temporary solution to a plumbing issue or an indicator of a failing system. A backup in your cleanout and your house, and water surfacing over your drain field and tank, will usually indicate this. Other signs that a septic tank pump out is needed include an odour, toilet backup and an overflow. However, whether it's part of ongoing maintenance or a temporary fix for an issue in your septic or plumbing system, not every time is suitable for pumping out. Here are some of those instances when pumping out your septic tank would be a bad idea.
After A Heavy Downpour or Any Other Natural Occurrences That Cause a Rise In Water Level
Heavy showers, river overflow and hurricanes are some of the natural events that may lead to a rise in the water level and cause flooding. There are two major reasons why pumping out your septic tank will be a bad idea with this flooding. First, if your septic tank is made of fibreglass or plastic, the force of the flooding water around the tank can make it to float up and out of the ground. This will in turn damage your septic piping, which will cost you a significant amount to replace.
Second, if the tank is made of a stronger material such as concrete, pumping it out when it's still flooding will simply introduce the floodwaters into the tank. The floodwaters usually have mud and silt that will have to be removed, which can cost you as well. For these reasons, make sure the flooding subsides completely before pumping out.
Right before Inspection and Testing Of Your Septic Tank System
Pumping out your septic tank right before the next scheduled inspection and testing is a bad idea. This is because pumping out means that it will be difficult to inspect and test the drain field when the tank is empty and this can hide a potential problem. Besides, an empty tank could be hiding more problems such as a dye, which may not be identified with that empty tank. Therefore, wait until after the inspection.
When Your Tank Is Old or Hasn't Been Pumped Out For Long
If you usually pump out your tank on your own and haven't done it for a quite a while or your tank is old, pumping by yourself may not be a good thing to do. This is because the condition of the tank may be unknown and it can collapse in the process. In such as case, calling a professional would be a better idea.