Why Clean Your Septic System – Barefoot Septic and Sewer, Inc.

What Our Clients Have To Say

"I was afraid that I had waited too long for my system to be cleaned and that there would be an expensive problem. The appointment was easy to make and I didn't have to wait long for it. The men who came were friendly, reassuring, and obviously knew exactly what they were doing. They didn't complain about digging through some very heavy clay soil to get to my tank, and they answered all my questions with good humor. Very good experience. The person who returned the next day to install risers and take care of excess soil followed my instructions to the letter. Am I thankful and impressed? You bet! When they send me a reminder in three years, I won't hesitate to call them for return service."

- Linda (Hemlock)

If your home is not connected to the public sewer system, all the wastewater your home generates is treated by an "individual wastewater treatment system", commonly called a septic system.

Every time that anyone in your home uses water, the wastewater that is generated as that water goes down the drain is treated in your own yard, on your own property!Just think, every time anyone washes their hands, washes the dishes, runs the clothes washer, takes a shower, or flushes a toilet, all that wastewater needs to be cleaned and returned to the environment.

It is the job of your septic system to clean the wastewater and re-introduce the treated water back into the ground and environment.

It is your job, as a homeowner, to understand how your septic system works and what you must do to maintain your system.

If you are like most people, you know very little about your septic tank system. This is understandable because there have been many myths and misconceptions surrounding septic tank systems and the way they work. Here, we will try to give you a clear understanding of what happens to your household waste after it goes down the drain. As the diagram illustrates, wastewater generated in your household travels outside into the septic system. The most common type of septic system consists of two parts: 1. The septic tank and 2. The leaching system. Some more complicated systems may include aerators, pumping stations, dosing chambers, drop boxes, raised fill leaching systems, or other alternate systems.

The soil pipe that leaves your house empties first into the septic tank.

The septic tank is a large box that is most commonly made out of precast concrete. Some septic tanks are made of metal or plastic. The size of a residential septic tank depends upon the number of bedrooms in the home and the regulations in the county in which it is installed. Typically, a three bedroom home will have a 1250 gallon septic tank and a four bedroom home will have a 1500 gallon septic tank. Smaller homes and older homes may have a 1000 gallon septic tank, or even a smaller tank. While older tanks consist of a single compartment, newer tanks often have 2 compartments. Some homes have more than one tank.When household wastes enter the tank, several things occur:

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Why Clean Your Septic System - Barefoot Septic and Sewer, Inc.