Septic tanks are the unsung hero of many plumbing systems. Indeed, septic systems make it possible for many rural residences to enjoy indoor plumbing. Here’s why septic tank maintenance is vital to the proper functioning of your plumbing system.

Septic Tanks Improve Life

Did you know that homes throughout North Carolina rely on septic systems to handle their waste? NC State Extension noted in 2016 that almost fifty percent of families have a septic tank. Nearly half of the households in our state depend on a working septic system each time they flush the toilet.

Modern technology has brought us the ingenuity of indoor plumbing. Here in America we often take this luxury for granted. It wasn’t too long ago that dealing with waste disposal was a considerable hazard for public health. Our quality of life has dramatically improved through the modern removal and treatment of sewage.

However, there are still a lot of areas that need improvement with home septic tank systems. Below we’ll look at some ways septic technology improves through ongoing research efforts.

Septic Tank Maintenance

No matter how modern your septic system is, you must maintain it. The Environmental Protection Agency suggests that you call in the maintenance pros every three years. Rely on your septic service professional to pump the septic tank every three to five years.

It’s essential to keep up-to-date maintenance records. Although a septic system technician can measure things like the sludge level, your files help to determine if pumping is overdue.

Regular maintenance saves you money and the aggravation of a failed septic system.

Septic System Research

If you dwell in a city or small town, the odds are that your waste flows into the municipal sewage line from your home. If you live further out of the city, like millions of other homeowners, you must use a septic tank for your waste. Each kind of septic tank will work differently, but they all percolate liquid waste into the ground, and store solid waste in a septic tank.

The conventional septic tanks can cause problems, because they can release a significant amount of nitrogen. Adding nitrogen to the environment can compromise the ecosystem, especially if it gets into a source of water.

When this happens, it creates algae blooms that can then reduce oxygen levels by blocking sunlight and releasing toxins into the water. Most septic tanks cause no problems with this, but in sensitive environments, this can be a big issue.

One center near Martha’s Vineyard is trying to address this problem with nitrogen. They have fifteen septic systems set up to mimic one household’s sewage system to try out new initiatives and determine what works best.

The intense research efforts are paying off with more environmentally friendly septic systems. As a result, North Carolina rules regarding septic tanks have toughened in recent years. Please read here for detailed information about septic tank maintenance requirements in our state.

Contact Us
Regardless of your waste removal system, you’ll want to ensure it’s sanitary, safe, and environmentally friendly. Routine septic tank maintenance is key to a long-lived and reliable operation.

Call Golden Rule Plumbing Services for all of your Raleigh area plumbing needs.