Septic tanks hold and filter wastewater that is removed from a home. They help to filter the water, so eventually it can return to the ground water without being dangerous. If wastewater were just dumped outside, it would seep into the water table and could lead to a lot of health issues.When wastewater is removed from your home, it enters into a septic tank, where the heavier material drops to the bottom and makes up something called the sludge layer. The middle layer is the water, and the top layer is referred to as the scum layer. Once the water reaches a certain capacity, it spills over into something called the drain field. Here the water is further filtered until contaminants and pathogens are adequately removed. Then the water is reabsorbed into the earth and becomes a part of the water cycle again.It is important to have your septic tank regularly pumped by a professional. Sam and our team always get asked how often this type of cleaning is needed. It’s a complicated answer, but ultimately it depends on the following items:

How often it has been cleaned in the past
How old your system is and how well it’s been maintained
The size of your septic tank
The number of people in your household

The best way to determine how frequently to have your septic tank pumped is to have a professional come out and take a look at everything. We will recommend the best plan going forward and will take good care of your tank so that it will last a long time.

5 Signs Your Drain Field May Need Professional Cleaning