For many households and businesses, a septic tank is a vital part of waste management. These tanks help separate sewage solids from liquids so the wastewater can be processed properly. However, over time, solid waste (including toilet waste and food particles) can sink to the bottom of your septic tank and form a thick layer of ‘sludge’. Meanwhile, oils and fats can rise to the surface, leaving a layer of ‘scum’. The more the sludge and scum layers build, the less effectively your septic tank will function.
Without regular desludging, you may find your sewage tank needs emptying more frequently. But what happens during the septic tank desludging process? Read on for all you need to know about septic tank desludging and emptying services.
What is the process for septic tank desludging?
While it might not be the most glamorous task, septic tank desludge is vital for maintaining private sewage systems. This job involves removing any waste that has sunk to the bottom of a septic tank and skimming any scum from the top of the water.
Septic tank emptying companies can do this by pumping the sludge and scum away. At M Gaze & Co, we have effective specialist equipment that allows us to remove sludge at any depth. This ensures we can carry out successful septic tank and lagoon desludging services in both residential and commercial spaces.
Once a septic tank has been desludged, it’s vital that the waste is disposed of properly. Sewage waste can be hazardous, and without the right disposal method, it can contaminate nearby land. After emptying your septic tank, we’ll always handle the waste in a safe and environmentally conscious way.
The importance of septic tank desludging
Desludging is not only beneficial for any premises using a septic tank system — it’s essential for several reasons.
- Regularly desludging your septic tank helps prevent blockages, which can lead to costly repairs or replacements in the long run. It can ultimately prolong the life of your septic tank and sewage system.
- It ensures that your septic system is functioning correctly by preventing overflows and backups, which can cause damage to pipes and other parts of your plumbing system.
- Desludging prevents unpleasant odours from radiating from your septic tank.
- It also reduces any negative environmental impact by preventing pollutants such as bacteria and viruses from entering local water sources due to overflow or backup issues.
How often should you have your septic tank desludged?
How often your septic tank needs to desludge will vary depending on how many people use your sewage system and how much wastewater they produce. The age of your sewage system can also affect how often you need it to desludge it — older systems may not be as effective as newer ones. It’s also worth looking into what type of wastewater treatment processes are in place, as this may also impact the frequency of your tank to desludge.
However, as a general rule of thumb, it’s a wise idea to have your septic tank desludged at least once every 3-5 years. If you’re unsure whether your septic tank needs desludging, contact a qualified professional. They’ll be able to analyse the level of sludge build-up in your tank and advise you when to arrange septic tank emptying services.
Septic tank emptying and desludging services from M Gaze & Co
Regular septic tank desludge is essential for keeping your sewage system in prime working condition. At M Gaze & Co, we have the experience, qualifications and skills needed to carry out effective septic tank emptying and desludging services in and around Norfolk. By doing so, we can help you avoid costly sewer repairs in the future.
Take a look at our other waste management services and contact our friendly team for more details.