The time to clean your septic system is determined by the type of system you have. If you have a gravity-fed septic system, then ideally it will need to be cleaned every three years. If you have a pumped septic system, then it should be cleaned every five years.
Your septic system is a sewage treatment system that uses the natural breakdown of organic matter to purify wastewater. A septic tank is the primary component of a septic system, where wastewater is stored for treatment. The sludge and scum from the tank are then sent to the drain field where they are broken down by bacteria in the soil.
It's recommended that you have your septic tank pumped and inspected every 3-5 years, depending on how many people live in your household and how many bathrooms you have.
Septic tanks should be cleaned often to allow proper drainage and to prevent the destruction of your septic trenches, which could result in thousands of dollars in repair costs.
Often times failing septic systems are impossible to repair and must be replaced – and even when they can be repaired, the expense is much greater than that of a simple cleaning.
Don't take that risk. Keep your tank, pipes and trenches in good working order.
We have come to be known as a reliable and top-quality septic tank cleaning company on the Gold Coast and in Brisbane that can handle any task efficiently and affordably.
What is 'HSTP' when talking about Waste Water Treatment Systems?
HSTPs are also known as Aerated Waste Water Treatment Systems (AWTS) or All Waste Treatment Plants (AWTP).
They are a system used for the treatment of sewage and liquid waste, and are basically a domestic version of a sewage treatment plant.
They have significantly better water quality than older style septics if properly maintained and therefore have far less environmental impact.
How do you know what type of Septic Tank you have? We will talk about conventional systems with Septic Tanks and Absorption Trenches, Grease Traps and Grey Water (Sullage).
Most older residences have conventional systems compared to newer houses which have HSTPs.
Septic tanks are the larger of the tanks in your yard which can vary in sizes.
These tanks are solely for toilet waste, the solids are caught in the tank and partially digested by bacteria and the reminder settles to the bottom of the tank until it reaches a level where pumping is required.
The excess water from flushing is sent to absorption trenches under the ground which consist of gravel pits where they can dry out through evaporation.Pumping out time of these tanks vary with the size tank and the number of people in the household.
Grease Traps are solely to catch the kitchen grease from your sink or dishwasher and can be found normally outside the kitchen window.
They are normally about 350mm round or rectangular shape with 2 lids that join in the middle about 900mm x 500mm.
These grease traps should be cleaned often at least every 6 months to prevent excess grease build up in the trap and pipes causing blockages also creating bad odours.
The excess water from the grease trap flows into the Grey Water (Sullage)
Grey Water (Sullage) is a tank slightly smaller than your 1600 litre septic measuring about 1000mm across, the waste that comes into this tank is from showers, washing machines, laundry and bathroom sinks.
This waste is considered recycling water for irrigation please refer to our Grey Water page for proper uses.
It is sprinkled out onto grass or ornamental plants for irrigation, all hoses and sprinklers must be purple in colour to identify it is grey water and not fit for Human or Animal consumption.
Different Councils have varying guidelines for wastewater and this is only a guide and may defer from your council. Contact your local council to find out their regulations.
We can inspect and advise you about your tanks get in touch and book it in with us.
It can be easy to forget to have your septic tank emptied and cleaned out. The tank is underground and you may not notice how it differs from a sewage system. However, it is extremely important to clean out your septic tank or you may find yourself with bad odours or worse. It is comparable to forgetting to empty the bins.
A septic tank that is regularly emptied and cleaned out can last for decades. This makes it a reliable sewage treatment solution for the long term. The word 'tank' indicates that the amount of space where the waste can be stored is not infinite, so it's not uncommon for people to ask how often you should have your septic tank cleaned out.
Broadly speaking, it's a good idea to have your septic tank emptied and cleaned every 3-5 years. However, there are some factors that may have an impact on this:
There are a few very clear signs to look out for that tell you your septic tank needs to be emptied. Some are very urgent, and some are less urgent.
If your drains appear to be working slower than usual, it could be an indicator that the system is clogged somewhere. The same goes for toilets and sinks. It could mean that your septic tank is full.
Have you seen some unexplained pools of water on your lawn? If they're close to your septic tank, it could be overflowing. A full tank will force waste up to the surface, so unexplained puddles on the grass might mean you need to have it emptied.
All dirty water goes into your septic tank, whether from washing dishes, showering, using the toilet or cleaning clothes. This mixture results in a nasty odour, so if you are detecting an unpleasant smell then your tank may be full.
This is the most urgent sign, and it's bad for your nose and your wallet. When your sewage system starts backing up, your septic tank must be emptied right away. It's always the lowest drains that go first, so check them regularly.
A septic tank is not cheap, and if it has to be repaired or replaced, it will be costly. Taking care of your septic tank can make it last a very long time, and regular cleaning eliminates the risk of any unpleasant surprises.
Failure to do so will cause the tank to reach capacity and clog its feeding pipe. As a septic tank owner, you have a responsibility to prevent this from happening. Wet Waste specialises in septic tank cleaning on the Gold Coast and Brisbane, with 25 years of experience in the business.
If your septic tank has not been cleaned in a while, get in touch and book it in with us.
If you own a septic tank, it is essential you regularly clean and pump out your tank to ensure it can continue to function as required and does not become blocked or damaged. It can be difficult for homeowners in Australia to know how often they should get their septic tank pumped out. In this guide, we explain everything you need to know about how often to pump and clean a septic tank.
As a general rule of thumb, septic tanks that are between 1600 - 4000 litres should be pumped every 2 - 4 years. This frequency can change, however, based on the following factors.
If you are in doubt about how often your septic tank needs to be pumped and cleaned, contact our professional team at Wet Waste. We offer septic tank cleaning services and will be able to advise you how frequently to pump your tank based on your tank size and household.
There are a few signs that indicate your septic tank is full, such as…
If you neglect to pump and clean your septic tank when required sludge and scum, which is unable to be drained, can build up and cause blockages in your tank. Sludge will continue to build up and enter your drain field, causing a bio-mat to be formed. Bio mats block absorption and create costly repairs for your septic tank. Failure to pump your tank puts your household at a sanitary risk as waste will be forced to decompose in your pipes.
If you would like more information about how frequently to pump and drain your septic tank, contact Wet Waste today. We're an experienced and professional company serving the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Redlands, Logan and Ipswich Shires.
Septic tanks are highly important for the many households that make use of them, but plenty of people are entirely unaware of them and how they function – as well as the many benefits they can allow you to reap.
A septic tank is an underground chamber wherein waste matter is stored and eventually decomposed using anaerobic bacteria – these are micro-organisms that do not require oxygen for growth. They are used as an alternative to the main sewage line and so are particularly common in rural areas away from cities and towns.
The waste products themselves naturally separate into three layers – on top is a combination of grease and oil followed by the wastewater and then heavier sludge particles at the bottom. The container is usually made out of steel, concrete, or fibreglass and is connected by pipes to a drain field that filters the wastewater; the tank and field combine to form an onsite sewage facility.
First of all, the sewage from the house is piped into the septic tank, where it is slowly collected. The sewage then forms the three layers as mentioned above slowly over time. The anaerobic bacteria within the tank gets to work on separating as many liquids as possible from the solid waste. This reduces the amount of solid waste within the tank, but only to a moderate degree – the remnants will eventually be dealt with by maintenance services.
The resulting wastewater products are, as mentioned above, discharged into the drain field, where it then percolates through and is accepted by the soil – turning it into groundwater. The waste that remains needs to be removed, as sludge accumulation is faster than the rate of decomposition, and this removal process is performed using a vacuum truck every three to five years. If this is not done when needed, there is a risk of raw faecal sludge (also known as septage) being transmitted to the drain field.
This might seem like a complicated process, but it is effective and efficient. Needing to pay for desludging may sound less than ideal, but this only happens every three to five years. The benefits of a septic tank are numerous, namely:
A septic tank is not only better for the environment, but they’re better for your bank account. At Wet Waste, we have been the go-to for liquid waste removal since 1996 and are fully licensed and insured for cleaning septic tanks.
Contact us today if your septic tank needs its regular check-up!
Liquid Waste Removal and Septic Tank Cleaning on the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Redlands, Logan and Ipswich Shires.
Call Mark: 1300 552 017
E-mail: [email protected]