What Happens During a Septic Tank Cleaning?

Are you curious about the process of cleaning a septic tank? When relying on a septic system, understanding the system will keep you from incurring costly repairs, stinky odors, and backups. 

In this blog, let's break it down so you can understand what to anticipate when experts clean your septic tank.

Step 1: Inspection and Assessment

Septic tank inspection is done before pumping anything. They check leaky/cracked components and sludge accumulation to understand how much your tank is full. For instance, experts utilize high-tech equipment like a Sludge Judge to measure the effluent that has settled in a layer-by-layer tank. 

Tank Location Techniques

Local knowledge, maps, and physical inspections help technicians locate the tank, especially in rural areas or older properties. They might use simple ground excavation techniques if the tank’s location isn’t well-documented.

Access Lid Excavation Protocol

When digging near lids, technicians dig with specialized shovels and hand tools to avoid damaging the lid or surrounding tank structure. They carefully strip the soil layers, documenting each layer's depth and content. They check the lid for spalling (surface flaking) or rebar exposure in the case of concrete. When plastic, they note the presence or absence of UV damage (fading, cracking).

Sludge Judge Deployment and Analysis

Clear zone (effluent), scum layer, and sludge layer. Each layer is sampled for laboratory testing:

• pH Level: Shows alkalinity or acidity, which influences bacterial activity.

• Total Solids (TS): Quantifies all solid content in the sample.

• Volatile Solids (VS): Approximates the organic component of total solids, suggesting the quantity of biodegradable material.

• Fecal Coliform Count: This shows the degree of fecal contamination.

• Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD): Measures the oxygen needed to stabilize organic material, indicating the chemical total organic load.

• Surfactant Levels: Excess levels may be a sign of over-detergenting the system, which damages it.

Step 2: Pumping Out the Tank

Now comes the core part—waste removal. Technicians employ a vacuum truck to clear all the deposited solids and liquids. They first remove the scum layer that floats (grease and oils) and, next, the densest sludge at the bottom. If the sludge is too heavy, a high-pressure water jet or a sludge grinder can be employed to grind the sludge.

Vacuum Truck Calibration

The employee also calibrates the pump on the vacuum truck so that it can suck without rupturing the tank. The hose diameter is selected based on the tank's size and sludge viscosity.

Prevention of Tank Collapse

The technician continually monitors the tank wall stress throughout pumping. When collapse is of concern, they might:

• Partially Refill the Tank: After partial draining, they can be filled with water to provide structural support.

• Use a Temporary Support System: They can install temporary bracing within the tank to prevent the structure from collapsing.

Step 3: Flushing and Cleaning

Once the waste is removed, the tank is washed with water to drain any leftover debris. The baffles and tank walls are cleaned by employing specific nozzles to ensure the removal of all waste deposits. A high-pressure hose may clean the pipes fed into and out of the tank.

Baffle Cleaning Precision

The technician uses specialized nozzles to spray high-pressure water into the crevices and cracks of the baffles, ensuring that all possible debris is cleaned. This is noted if the baffles are faulty, and a repair or replacement is recommended.

Step 4: Filter Check and Maintenance

Septic systems usually have a filter preventing solids from passing through the drain field. The technician enhances checks and cleans this filter to ensure smooth functionality. Dirty filters can cause system failure, so cleaning regularly is imperative.

Step 5: Damage Inspection

Now that the tank has been drained, a closer examination is essential. The technician examines the crack/leakage/corrosion of the tank.

Advanced Crack Detection

Besides visual examination, the technician can employ:

• Dye Penetrant Testing: A dye is placed upon the tank wall, and cracks filled in the tank that have been infused in the dye will absorb and become visible.

• Acoustic Emission Testing: Sensors are utilized to listen to the noise caused by the expansion of cracks under load.

Step 6: Final Evaluation and Maintenance Recommendations

Following the cleaning, the technician issues a report explaining the condition of your septic system. The technician will indicate what type of frequency would be best to set for septic tank cleaner powder based on the size of your house and the use of people in the house.

Personalized Additive Recommendations

The technician offers particular septic system additives that the system needs:

• Enzyme Additives: For dissolving grease and fats.

• Bacterial Additives: To resupply populations of beneficial bacteria.

• Root Killers: They are for root exclusion in the drain field (for use cautiously). 

Step 7: Disinfection

Occasionally, professionals spray a safe, biodegradable disinfectant toxic to pathogenic bacteria. This ensures that your system remains clean, but the good bacterial flora remains intact to ensure waste breakdown. 

Step 8: Waste Disposal and Documentation

The technician properly disposes of waste in a licensed facility per environmental policy. A record is maintained by keeping a manifest from pickup through the landfill so that it will be legally compliant. 

Final Thoughts

Now that you understand how septic tank cleaning occurs, you can make the proper decision on maintaining this part of your system. Regularly clean your system and use a septic tank cleaner powder to keep it functioning correctly and induce microbial action. These little efforts with Bioclean will save you money on repairs and provide a hassle-free septic system!