Septic Tank Cleaning & Information

How does a septic system work?

A septic system has three parts that work together to clean wastewater from your home. First a pipe carries the water from your home into a large concrete or fiberglass tank. Here solids are separated from liquids and allowed to collect at the bottom of the tank where bacteria then works on the solids to partial decompose them. Oil and Grease float to the surface as scum and the waste water flows through a T-shaped outlet in the septic tank that prevents the solids and scum from leaving the tank. Screens or filters

may be used also to insure that only liquids go into the next step which is the drainfield. The drainfield is a series of perforated pipes buried in soil that allow the waste water to percolate into the soil removing hannful bacteria, viruses, and other remain items.

How do I know if there is a problem?

Look for the following signs:

Problems flushing toilets

Plumbing Backups

Grass that is greener or growing faster in one area of your yard

Mushy wet spots in the yard

Odors on the inside or outside

How often should my tank be pumped or inspected?

 Generally, your tank should be inspected every 3 years and pumped every three to five years depending on how many people live in your house and the size of the system. Some tanks use pumps in the tanks to move the liquid and these systems should be inspected on a yearly basis.

Why should I maintain my system on a regular basis?

 This will save you money! A system that has a problem or has reached capacity of solids will allow the solids to flow into the drainfield causing the solids to plug up the drainfield requiring a costly replacement. Improperly treated water may also cause ground water contamination-and can lead to the spread of infection and disease.

Why should I use Lenawee Sanitation to inspect and pump my septic tank?

 We are a licensed and insured company with over 30 years of experience in this area. We have electronic line locators to find your tank if you are not aware of its exact location. This allows us to find the tank cleanout right away without digging unnecessary holes in your yard saving you time and money. We have extra long hoses so we can pump your tank in most cases from your driveway or the road without damaging your lawn with deep tire ruts. We will inspect your system to insure it is working properly, check for signs of back up, measure the scum and solid level, identify any leaks, and if necessary, pump the tank. We have powerful trucks that allow us to remove all of the solids to insure the tank is cleaned out and ready to work. We also have advanced camera inspection equipment that can be used to see inside the system to find problems such as blocked areas and broken pipes. We dispose of the sludge in State licensed facilities. All of our work is guaranteed.

What are some things to avoid that can damage the system?
Use caution what you put into your system. Dental floss, feminine hygiene items, diapers, cotton swabs, cigarette butts, coffee grounds, paper towel, paints, solvents, large volumes of toxic cleaners and grease can all damage the system. Garbage disposals also add a strain on a septic system by introducing solids that the bacteria does not breakdown. Try to avoid overloading the system by spreading out laundry loads throughout the week rather than doing several loads on the same day. Avoid driving over or parking on your septic system as this can damage it. Only grass should be planted near the system to prevent roots from clogging it.