Your aerobic septic system is more complicated than you probably realize. They are made up of moving parts, oxygen systems, and a series of electronic components that move your waste throughout the largest septic system. To ensure that all of these parts and pieces are in good working order, your aerobic system needs to be checked and pumped regularly. Here’s why.

The Buildup of Sludge

When you flush your toilet, the wastewater is moved from your home into the trash tank. In this tank, the solids are separated from the liquids. The waste liquids are then moved into an aerobic unit, and finally to a pump tank to be recycled into sprinkler water.

With use and time, your trash tank begins to gather more and more waste. Eventually, this sludge can work its way out of the trash tank and into the other tanks and compartments, eventually contaminating your pump tank. This contaminated system can lead to other problems in the system and can be a hazard to your health.

Tank Sludge Readings

If there is a buildup of sludge in your aerobic tank, it can keep the oxygen entering the system from properly breaking down the waste, and will prevent the waste from being sufficiently treated. The buildup of sludge in the pump tank can lead to pump failure and a host of other problems. It’s not uncommon to see sprinkler heads and drip lines being clogged with waste if the pump tank is too full of sludge. In rare cases, these fixtures can burst and spray waste onto your lawn.

As part of your regular septic tank maintenance, your septic specialist should conduct a sludge reading every four months or so. Both the aerobic and the pump tanks should be checked for the buildup of sludge. If there is a high level of sludge in either of these tanks, it’s important that you have the entire system pumped.