Why is it Necessary to Maintain your Septic Tank

Would you buy an expensive car and never change the oil? No! The same principal can be applied to your septic tank. Over time, solids build up in the tank. The number of people in the home, their lifestyles, garbage disposals, frequency of laundry, and multiple other factors determine how frequently a tank should be cleaned. When sludge builds up in the bottom of the tank and it reaches a level where it will be taken out into the absorption field, it begins to plug the soil. The level of scum and sludge can be determined by an inspection. When the solids are more than one third of the total liquid level, it is time for the tank to be cleaned. (See animation on About Septic Systems.)

Periodic removal of scum and sludge will prolong the life of your system. Solids cannot be removed from the tank through a 4 inch inspection port. The manholes and/or lids need to be removed for a thorough pumping.

Access to the Maximum Extent

Most systems in our area have no access manholes to the surface; they have to be discovered and uncovered. They can have from one inch to 6 ft. of soil over them. A lot of yards here are landscaped with decorator rock and gravel. American Septic Service found that digging by hand in Arizona is not cost-effective to our customers or to you. We use a “Bobcat Excavator” to expose the top of the tank and lift the manhole lids. Many homes have walls and fences around them with only a small access gate. We have the ability to pass through a gate as small as 39 inches with our equipment.

We also have a SeaSnake video finder to locate tanks electronically. We do not dig and hunt for tanks. We know where they are before we dig.

Watch as our Treads retract under the Bobcat to reduce its width for narrow access.

Call the septic system maintenance company you can trust in Cochise, Arizona – American Septic Systems.