Interceptors play an important role in modern-day sewage management systems, but it’s not uncommon for them to get blocked with oils, fats, and other types of waste build-up. As a result, they need to undergo regular cleaning and desludging. Read on to discover just how often you should arrange interceptor desludging and septic tank emptying services.
What is an interceptor?
An interceptor is a key part of sewage systems for a range of domestic and commercial buildings. These tanks help intercept and treat wastewater before releasing it back into the environment. Interceptors trap and separate solid waste so the liquid can pass through for treatment and cleaning.
What is interceptor desludging?
Septic tank interceptors are essential components of sewage management systems because they prevent solid waste from blocking drains and waterways. Without regular maintenance, however, interceptors can accumulate this solid waste (which can include oils and fats). If too much waste builds up, it can cause raw sewage to overflow, posing a serious health hazard and potentially damaging the environment.
To prevent this from happening, it’s vital to keep an eye on septic tank interceptors and ensure they function properly. One key aspect of this maintenance is desludging, which involves removing the accumulated sludge from the bottom of the tank.
How often should you desludge an interceptor?
While we know regular desludging is the best way to keep an interceptor in top condition, it can be tricky to know exactly how often to employ septic tank emptying companies to carry out desludging.
This is because the frequency of desludging depends on the size of the tank and the amount of wastewater it receives. The more wastewater the tank receives, the more often it will need desludging.
We recommend emptying and cleaning grease traps and interceptors once every three months. It’s worth bearing in mind that this is just a rough estimate, and you’ll also need to consider…
How many people use the septic tank and the volume of wastewater
For instance, a small septic tank interceptor serving a household of two people may only need desludging once every three years, while a larger tank serving a commercial establishment or an industrial facility may need to be desludged more frequently.
The type of waste being produced.
Another important factor to consider is the type of waste being produced. Some types of waste, such as food waste and cooking oil, are more likely to cause blockages and other problems in the septic tank. These types of waste can also contribute to the build-up of sludge in the tank, which may require more frequent desludging.
Another way to look at it is to consider the “quarters” rule. It’s a good idea to get your interceptor checked once a quarter of the space is filled with fats, oils, grease, and other solid waste.
Other septic tank maintenance
Alongside regular desludging, there are other maintenance tasks that need to be carried out to keep septic tank interceptors functioning properly. One of these tasks is regular sewage tank emptying, which involves removing the liquid waste from the tank.
Sewage tank emptying is essential to prevent the tank from becoming too full, which can cause the sewage to back up into the home or overflow into the environment. In most cases, it’s best to empty sewage tanks once a year.
Interceptor desludging and septic tank emptying services from M Gaze and Co.
At M Gaze & Co., we have the skills and experience to carry out effective, professional interceptor cleaning services. We’re well equipped with specialist interceptor cleaning tools that enable us to pump out and jet clean any type of interceptor, keeping your sewage systems in full working order.
Whether you’re looking for support with a domestic septic tank or you’re looking for sewage tank emptying services for a commercial property, give us a call today.