Septic-Tank Cleaning

CleanAll Solutions provides you Septic Tank Maintenance Services using powerful Vacuum Suction Trucks to remove sludge from up to 25ft depth without anyone getting in direct contact with the sludge.

Table 1: Cost Comparison between Septic Tank Installation and Pumping

Figure 1: Graphical representation of cost comparison between septic tank installation and pumping

SEPTIC TANK:

Septic Tank collects sewage and wastewater separating it into different chambers. Septic tank is used where wastewater or sewage cannot be collected by mains or sewers. It usually consists of two compartments. Solids having higher density settle at the bottom whereas liquid waste passes to the other compartment. Solids get decomposed by anaerobic digestion and produce sludge. This sludge reduces the active volume of the septic tank and therefore there is a need to pump the tank.

1. Pumping Frequency:

Usually, the sludge from the septic tank needs to be pumped out every 1-3 years. If the number of people using the septic tank is more than its design population, then more frequent pumping will be required.

2. Failure Prevention/Signs:

When any of the following is true or you spot any of these problems, schedule an emergency septic tank pumping right away:

• Total depth of scum plus sludge layers equals 1/3 of the depth of the tank
• Bottom of the septic tank outlet baffle has less than 3 inches of clearance from the bottom of the floating scum layer
• Bottom of the outlet baffle is less than 6 inches from the top of the sludge layer on the septic tank bottom
• Slow Drains
• Sewage Surfacing over the tanks or drain field.
• Gurgling sounds coming from the pipes
• Sewage backing up in homes.
• Foul odors in the drain field after a heavy rain

3. Inspection criteria:

To determine whether your tank needs pumping, you need to know how much scum and sludge are in the tank. Dip stick method is used. A tank with strong foul odors could be a sign of problems. Inspection involves the following steps:

• Look at the scum layer floating at the top of the tank, if it is close to touching the lid, septic tank requires pumping.
• Look for baffles which are attached to the inlet and outlet pipes on your tank. If the baffles are buried in scum, your tank is too full and needs to be pumped.
• Check for toilet paper or feces staining the top of lids or baffles. This is the sign that your tank has been too full in the past if so contact a professional.

Dip Stick Method:

Values provided in Section 2 can be used, otherwise, alternative values are also provided below:

• Use scum stick to make an 8-10-inch hole in the scum, hold the L-Shaped foot flat on the top of the scum layer and use a pencil to mark on the stick right at the top of the riser or at the lid. Put the scum stick through the hole and pull the stick up flat to the bottom of the scum layer. Make another mark on the stick with the pencil at the top of the lid. Now pull the stick out and measure between two pencil marks.

  If scum layer > 6 inches, pumping is needed

• Lower the sludge stick down into the bottom of the tank making sure not to stain the Velcro tape/cloth/towel attached at the lower 3 feet of the stick with scum. Leave it there for few minutes e.g.; 3 minutes so the sludge can stain the tape/cloth. Carefully remove the sludge stick avoiding it being stained by scum. Sludge has stained the tape. Measure the stained part.

        Sludge Layer> 12 inches deep, pumping required.

• Check all the compartments of the septic tank following the same procedure. If in any of the compartments,

           The depth of scum layer + Depth of sludge layer > 18 inches, pumping is required.

or

     SC + SL > WD/3

Where,

SC=Thickness of Scum Layer

SL= Thickness of Sludge Layer

WD = Working Depth

                                                         Figure 2: Typical Septic Tank

Cost Estimates:

A standard and conventional gravity system for a 3-bedroom house on a level site in good soil can vary greatly depending on where you live but it should be roughly between $1500 to $4000 (199,402 Rs to 531,740 Rs). Standard gravity fed, and trench systems typically only need to be pumped every 1-3 years. And will cost $ 75 to $ 150 (9970 Rs to 19940 Rs) if they need pumping. Average price for 2 bedrooms would be $125 to $ 250 (16616 Rs to 33233 Rs).