SepticTankBasics

Septic Tank input:

septic-tank perspective
Grease and non-biodegradables
Waste Water (Gray Water)
Solids and Tissue
EPA Septic Guide
What happens inside your tank?
Scum and grease rise to the top layer and stay in the tank.

Waste water rises above the solids and gets pushed out to the drain field through a submerged pipe called a baffle.
Solids settle to the bottom of the tank and accumulate

Explore the EPA's (Homeowner's Guide to Septic Systems) for
helpful pictures of how your septic system operates.




Septic Tank Output:

Your output tube to your drain field is below the scum layer If the solids reach your rise to the level of your outbound line, that is when you can get into trouble and everything backs up. Your tank appears to be full at all times. As a gallon of waste water enters your tank a gallon is pushed out into the drain field. So, this is known as the gallon in gallon out principle.

A simple septic

Monitor the level of the solids in your septic tank

Keep accurate records of your household use

Develop a pumping frequency cycle based on your usage

WhenYouWaitTooLong350The Cost of Neglect:

Regretfully, the cost is high. If you are not monitoring the solid levels in your septic tank then
your system will eventually back up into the home and/or clog the lines
that run from your facilities to your septic tank.   Your septic drain field lines can also get plugged up if tissue or solids rise too high in your tank. The result is that you end up having to pump the septic tank and then pay additional fees to have your lines cleaned out.   Companies that clean septic lines may end up charging you several hundred dollars for their efforts.   Finally, if you allow the solids in your tank to get into your drain field, they can also lead to premature failure of your entire system.   Solids contribute to an increase in the density CloggedDrainfield 198of the biomat which leads to failure of the drainage system.   The soil beneath your drain lines becomes dark and crusty like coal and eventually will not absorb water as it normally would.   That is when you will start to see waste water rising to the surface of your lawn.   This is an indication that the bio-mat has become too dense to allow for normal drainage to occur.   At that point the system must be dug up and replaced. Replacing your drain field is an expensive project and can cost several thousand dollars.   When you add it all up, it pays to get on a regular pumping schedule based on your annual solids input rate.  



The cost of pumping your septic tank 

Pumping a septic tank in Jackson, County Michigan is affordable if you view the expense from an annual perspective.   To begin with, the State of Michigan passed a law the requires that septage waste be disposed of in the county of its origin.   This law is designed to distribute waste around the state and ensure that no one county has to deal with more waste than their fair share. The cost of treating septage waste is passed on to residents. Each county charges a (per gallon) treatment fee and that is what really drives up the overall cost to pump a septic tank. 

So, when you call for a current quote, please keep in mind that the price we charge includes all your disposal fees listed above.   So, when you call for an estimate, it is helpful if you know how the size in terms of gallons that your septic tank will hold. Knowing the size of your tank, allows us to give you an accurate estimate.  

For an immediate quote, call Shelar Sanitation:517-764-1650.  

How to Minimize The Cost

There are several things that you can do to
lower the cost of pumping your septic tank.
  
Riser350
A list of considerations include the following:

1) Locate and uncover the dirt off your tank lid ($50 minimum savings)
2) Observe the Gallons Pumped on the meter
3) Install a Riser and a lid for easy access
4) Install a Zable Filter to further protect your drain field

In addition to regular pumping, there are also ways to improve the health of both your septic tank and your drain field.   There are a variety of Chemicals that can be added to your septic tank that contain helpful microbes, acids, and enzymes that improve absorption and/or speed the breakdown of solids.