Septic systems are usually pretty reliable. When something does go wrong, often there is just a blockage that is causing the problem. When water enters your septic tank, it is mixed with everything else icky that goes with it. All of this waste water mixed together is called septage. Once inside the tank, the more solid matter sinks to the bottom and is referred to as sludge. The lighter matter that floats (grease and other similar substances) is called scum. The water in between the sludge and scum is pretty clear water. This is the water that is eventually absorbed into the soil.
Blockages most often occur with the buildup of sludge over time. These blockages can lead to overflow, which is potentially dangerous for everyone. It can clog the soil absorption area, causing septic systems to fail entirely, which is a very costly and lengthy fix.
If you are concerned there is a problem with your septic tank, call us today at Mathis & Sons Septic. We specialize in diagnosing problems with septic tanks. We will put a small camera down the drain pipes to see where the actual problem is. More than likely, you will have a build-up of sludge, which requires bacteria to be put in to the tank to help break it up.
Bacteria are essential in septic tanks to help break up sludge. If you have blockage, you need to add a more aggressive type of bacteria. Depending on how much sludge you have, you may need to add a lot of extra bacteria and will need to be patient (sometimes waiting weeks) for the bacteria to do its job.
At Mathis & Sons Septic, we know what kind of bacteria is most effective and how much you will need to get the job done. We also recommend adding bacteria on a consistent basis to prevent blockages in the future. When it comes to all things septic, we are only a phone call away!