In Australia we can experience heavy rainfall causing a multitude of problems but one thing that can be affected is your septic system. There are two main things that can end up happening:

• Flooded Absorption Trenches
• Plumbing becomes backed up

We experience a lot of calls about septic tanks being backed up after there has been heavy rainfall or even during the rainfall itself. A lot of rain can cause the ground to flood quickly around the absorption trenches, which will result in the ground becoming overly saturated.

When the water has nowhere to go, the water is going to eventually end up backing up into the drains and toilets within your home.

You can take some precautions with a few different things that can reduce the risk of this taking place.

How to Help

All water from downpipes should be directed away from absorption trenches

Always direct your Grey Water (Sullage) wastewater away from absorption trenches.

All natural run off water from rain should be diverted away from absorption trenches.

Keep the grass mowed so the sun can dry out absorption trenches faster.

Preparing for Rain

One of the best things that you can do is make sure that your septic system is in good condition before the rain starts.

Some absorption trenches can work better than others depending on the soil type you have and the size of your absorption trenches.

But making sure your septic system and absorption trenches are in good working order before rainy seasons is the best prevention.

If you think your septic tank system or absorption trenches are faulty the best thing to do is get in touch with a professional company like Wet Waste so that they can inspect your septic system.

With the right maintenance and preventative efforts, you can make a massive difference to your septic system.

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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.

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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.

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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.

Read more here

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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.

So When Should I Get My 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:

• Tank size - Smaller tanks may need more frequent cleaning.
• Usage - How many people are there in your household?
• What is being flushed - Certain items could cause blockages that will need to be addressed.

How Can I Tell If My Septic Tank Is Full?

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.

1. Slow Drains

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.

2. Pooling Water

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.

3. Bad Smells

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.

4. Backed-up Sewage

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.

The Importance Of Cleaning 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.

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How often should you 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.

• How many people live in your household - As you may suspect, the higher the number of people in your household, the faster your septic tank will fill up. 
• The amount of wastewater generated - You can calculate how much wastewater your household generates based on the number of people living in your house and the amount of water they use.
• What is being flushed - If members of your household flush items such as baby wipes or sanitary products that can cause blockages in a septic tank, your tank will need to be emptied and cleaned more regularly. 
• The size/type of the tank - Naturally, a larger tank will require pumping and cleaning less frequently than a smaller tank. Even if you have a large tank, however, it is essential you consider the above factors as if you have a large household you may need to empty your tank as regularly as a smaller model.

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.

How to find out when a septic tank is full?

There are a few signs that indicate your septic tank is full, such as…

• A pool of water above your septic tank
• An unpleasant odour coming from your septic tank
• Slow drains and flushing
• Loud/gurgling pipes

What happens if you don't pump a septic tank?

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.

Contact Wet Waste today

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.

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What is a septic tank?

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.

How do septic tanks work?

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.

Benefits of a septic tank

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:

• They are environmentally friendly and recycle wastewater for the plant life that is near you.
• They are cheaper than installing extensive sewer lines and require infrequent maintenance.
• They are made to last, and steel tanks can easily run for forty years with the right treatment.
• They are entirely independent, so they are not affected by clogs or backups caused by others.

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!

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