What’s that smell? Do you have a septic tank system and don’t realize it?

Has this ever happened to you? You go outside one day, and your backyard reeks, or your indoor plumbing is backing up with sewage. Maybe you didn’t know you had a septic system, many people don’t. Now, you are in desperate need of repair and information about how to maintain your septic system so that this scenario doesn’t happen again. 

80% of Alabamians have septic and don’t realize it, which means there are a lot of people out there who aren’t properly maintaining their systems. At Economy Septic Tank, we live and breathe septic system repair and maintenance, so let us give you the details on everything you need to know about your septic system. 

What is a septic tank system? 

Septic systems are commonly used in areas that don’t have a centralized sewage system. If you live in a rural area, you probably have a septic tank system to treat the wastewater from your bathroom, kitchen drains, and laundry. 

A septic system is an underground system made up of a septic tank and a soil absorption field, also known as a drainfield. The septic tank is where the sewage water from your home undergoes a process to reduce solids and organics. The treated water, called the liquid effluent, moves into the septic drainfield, where further treatment takes place. 

If you have a septic system, you can usually find your septic tank underground in your backyard. The septic tank is typically made of concrete, fiberglass, or plastic. The inside of your septic tank consists of what is called an anaerobic bacterial environment, which means there are microorganisms that break down and decompose the solid waste in the tank. 

The septic drainfield consists of trenches filled with pipes and gravel, and these trenches are protected by a layer of soil to keep animals and surface water from getting to the wastewater within. This is where the sewage from the tank undergoes further decontamination, and the remaining organic material in the wastewater is broken down by organisms that live in the system. 

Some septic systems use pumps or gravity to move the wastewater from the tank through sand, peat, sawdust, or other organic matter so that contaminants can be neutralized. 

How do I maintain my septic system?

Maintaining your septic system is essential to protecting your home investment. Scheduling routine inspections and system pumps guarantee your septic system will continue to function optimally. A well-functioning septic system means you don’t have to worry about contaminated water coming to the surface of your property or the drains inside of your house. 

Even though there are microorganisms in your septic tank breaking down the solid waste from your house, the amount of waste builds up faster than it can be decomposed. Because the rate of decomposition doesn’t keep up with waste build-up, you need your septic tank pumped regularly to prevent the sludge from blocking the outlet pipe to the drainfield. 

Routine inspections and timely repairs can help make sure your septic system doesn’t have any issues. Septic tank systems are designed to provide effective treatment of wastewater from your home for a long time, but they still encounter problems as time passes. Such problems can lead to sewage leaking into groundwater and the water you drink. Additionally, if issues with your septic system go untreated, you may end up having to replace it, which can be extremely costly. 

Choose first-rate septic system professionals you can trust

Economy Septic Tank offers first-rate septic system service you can trust. Serving Alabama for over 40 years, our dedicated team members are fully licensed, bonded, and insured. We always exceed expectations! If you are experiencing issues with your septic system or need to schedule routine maintenance, call us at (256) 435-1086 to schedule your service.