Let’s face it, when it comes to a septic tank, homeowners can only provide preventative service. It requires a professional to actually clean it, provide any necessary repairs or install upgrades. First, let’s look at how your septic tank works. The septic system has two main components: a septic tank and a drain field. If you need professional plumbers in Katy, Texas for your plumbing problems, give Benjamin Franklin Plumbing in Houston, Texas a call today.

Wastewater flows from the house into the septic tank. The tank is designed to allow heavy waste to settle on the bottom while retaining waste water. The solids are partially decomposed by bacteria to form sludge. Grease and light particles float forming a layer of scum on top of the waste water. There are baffles at the inlet and outlet of the septic tank to help prevent solids and scum from escaping. Newer septic tanks have a low wall dividing the tank into two compartments. This helps ensure that sludge doesn’t get forced out into the drain field. Newer septic tanks also have the option of two manhole covers, one over each compartment. For all plumbing related problems that require professional plumbers in Katy, Texas, consider using Benjamin Franklin Plumbing in Houston, Texas.

A pipe leads from the septic tank to a distribution box where the waste water is channeled into one or more perforated pipes set in trenches of gravel. Here the water slowly seeps into the underlying soil. Dissolved wastes or bacteria are trapped or decomposed. This process removes disease causing organisms, organic matter, and most nutrients, except nitrogen and some salts. The purified wastewater then moves to the ground water or evaporates from the soil. If you think you may have a pipe burst and you need help, Benjamin Franklin’s plumbers in Katy, Texas can help.

An alternative to the drain field is the sand mound system which is used in areas where the site is not suitable for traditional septic tank systems. For example, there may be too much clay in the soil preventing proper drainage of waste water, or the water table may be too close to the ground surface. For leak detection services from professional plumbers in Katy, Texas, call Ben Franklin Plumbing.

In the sand mound system waste water flows from a septic tank to a storage tank. The liquid is then pumped from the storage tank to perforated pipes buried in a mound of sand built on top of the original ground. This provides a layer of suitable soil to allow for adequate time and distance for proper treatment of the waste water. Growing vegetation on top of the mound will help evaporate some of the liquid. This is especially important in regions with a shallow water table.

Signs of trouble with the septic tank may not always be as evident as a detectable bad odor. Even when the septic tank system appears to be working well sludge may have built up to the point that the process is interrupted allowing pollution of the groundwater or cause eventual clogging of the drain field. For sewer leaks requiring the assistance of professional plumbers in Katy, Texas, give us a call now.

A wet area or standing water in the drain field can indicate clogging of the field lines. Sludge may have caused the drain, tree roots or a broken pipe. Standing water can also occur when water use in the household exceeds the septic tank design capacity. This is a serious health risks and odors may be detected.

Other signs are slow draining toilets, they may back up. You may even see sewage back up into the basement flooding it with sewage. This can be due to clogged sewer lines going to the septic tank, a plugged inlet or outlet pipe on the septic tank, a full septic tank or a failed drain field.  If you need assistance with your sewer line consider contacting Ben Franklin’s professional plumbers in Katy, Texas.

Sewage odors may occur in the house, above the tank, in the drain field or escape from the vent pipe. A properly working septic tank will have no odors. The presence of sewage odors can be an early warning sign that the system is failing.

All septic tanks require routine pumping. By using the following tips you can ensure that your septic tank functions properly from one cleaning to the next:

  • Repair leaks and conserve water. Use low flow fixtures to reduce the amount of water going into the septic tank.
  • Don’t overload the septic tank. Early morning and bedtime are peak use times in the bathroom. Run the dishwasher and washing machine at other times and don’t try to do all the laundry in one day.
  • Do not use a garbage disposal or dump coffee grounds into the sink when you have a septic system. Increasing the solids going into the septic tank decreases the tanks capacity and shortens the time between pumping.
  • Don’t pour fat or oil down the sink. They can clog the septic tank pipes.
  • Do not put tissues, cigarette butts, paper towels, sanitary napkins, disposable diapers, tampons or any other solid items into the toilet. Put them in the trash.
  • Have the septic tank pumped every two to five years depending upon use. If the septic tank gets too full, scum and sludge will flush out of the tank causing the drain to clog and the system to fail.
  • Have a licensed professional to pump the waste completely out of your tank leaving nothing in it. Make sure the baffles are inspected and the septic tank is checked for leaks.