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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It may come up from drains (including your showers, bathtubs, sinks, clothes washer or dishwasher drains) aquariums, leaking water beds, and more. 

It is important to know how to manage your water usage and what to do with gray water and flooding.

There are many ways to reduce the amount of water you use, such as using it for garden watering ( but never use it for your vegetable plants), toilet flushing, and even installing a rain barrel for collecting the runoff instead of letting it be to the public drainage.

Treated graywater generally carries lower health risks than untreated, its a kind of prevention once heavy rains comes. Moreover, gray water mixed with heavy rainwaters or flooding, in just another 48 hours or so, gray water can devolve into black water – posing serious health risks to you and your family and increasing the damage to your home.

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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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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.

• 1600 Litre approximately 1300mm across
• 2500 Litre approximately 1550mm across
• 3000 Litre approximately 1750mm across

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

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)

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.

BOOK ME IN!

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Colour

The color has nothing to do with the quality of the water and it can be used for various purposes such as watering plants, flushing toilets.
Grey water is different from fresh water and requires different guidelines for it to be reused.

• Don’t store (more than 24 hours). If you store this water the nutrients in it will start to break down, creating bad odours.
• Minimise your contact with Grey water which could potentially contain a pathogen if an infected person's faeces got into the water, so your system should be designed for the water to soak into the ground and not be available for people or animals to drink.
• Infiltration into the ground - don't allow it to pool up or run off (knowing how well water drains into your soil (or the soil percolation rate of your soil) will help with proper design.
• Pooling grey water can provide mosquito breeding grounds, as well as a place for human contact with grey water.

Here's the real definition of Grey Water - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greywater
Sources of greywater include sinks, showers, baths, washing machines or dishwashers.

Safety

As greywater contains fewer pathogens than domestic wastewater, it is generally safer to handle and easier to treat and reuse for onsite for toilet flushing and other non-potable uses.
Greywater may still have some pathogen content from laundering soiled clothing or cleaning the anal area in the shower or bath.
Treated greywater has a number of uses, some of which include toilet flushing or irrigation.

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If you run a commercial kitchen, you'll know how important it is to have an efficient disposal system for fats, oils and grease (FOG). Grease traps are essential appliances that are designed to prevent FOG from blocking your plumbing system, but to keep your grease trap functioning properly, how often do you need to clean it? Let's take a look.

Why Should You Clean Your Grease Trap?

Over time, your grease trap will accumulate FOG in its tank, which will decompose over time and produce a foul rotting smell. This smell is hydrogen sulphur gas, which eventually turns into sulphuric acid; an extremely corrosive substance that can damage the walls and steel of the interceptor of your tank. To avoid having to replace your grease trap, it is essential to keep it clean.

Failing to clean your grease trap regularly can also cause blockages in the pipeline, as solid food particles that settle at the bottom of the tank will build up and fail to drain away. The overflow and backups that occur as a result can cause expensive damage, and your business will be subject to penalties from your local municipality.

How To Maintain Your Grease Trap

The best way to keep your grease trap functioning properly is to have it cleaned regularly by an experienced professional. In between cleans, however, there are a few things you can do every day to keep your grease trap well-maintained.

Scrape Plates

One of the most effective ways of preventing FOG from flowing down the drains in your kitchen is to keep them out of the sink in the first place. Before you put any dishes in the sink, scrape as much food as you can off them with a rubber spatula.

Install Sink Screens

Scraping your plates will get rid of most of the food, but there will still be some grease and food left, especially if you're cleaning your kitchen during busy periods. To filter any leftover grease and food, install screens under the three-compartment sink and the pre-rinse sink.

Clean Spills Immediately

Cleaning up any spills as soon as possible will prevent grease from creating a slip hazard in your kitchen. Use towels to clean up any greasy food spills and throw them in the bin, as mopping them up will allow grease to enter your floor drains.

How Often Should You Clean Your Grease Trap?

The frequency of commercial kitchen grease trap cleaning will depend on how often your kitchen produces FOG. On average, it's advised for cleanings to be carried out every one to three months to keep your grease trap functioning properly.

Check your grease trap regularly so you can learn how quickly it fills up, then base your cleaning schedule on that timeline. If you find that your grease trap fills up faster than usual (less than a month), it's worth considering upgrading it to a larger one.

Contact The Experts

At Wet Waste, we're experts in the removal of liquid waste from grease traps, sullage, holding tanks, septic tanks and much more. To learn more about our Gold Coast services or to request a quote, please don't hesitate to give our team a call on 1300 552 017 today.

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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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