Septic Tank Sludge 101: A Guide Of Facts Every Homeowner Should Know

Sludge. Even the name sounds a little like something you'd find on the bottom of your shoe on a muddy day. Sludge is the name given to the gunk that builds up inside of a septic tank, and it really is something you should know about. Here are a few things you should know regarding septic tank sludge. 

Improper flushing practices leads to excess sludge. 

Everything you flush down the toilet should not go in your septic tank. Things like clay-based kitty litter, leftover scraps from the dinner table, and paper towels do not need to go into the septic tank. These things do not break down as they should, which means they contribute to sludge and scum accumulation that has to be pumped out of the tank. People who flush all of their toilet paper should also be careful. The paper can combine with the natural sludge and create concrete-like chunks that are hard to remove because, believe it or not, not all toilet paper breaks down in moisture as you would expect.  

The tank should be pumped before the sludge layer reaches the outlet pipe. 

The sludge inside of the septic tank is full of compounds that are left behind after the waste in your sewage has broken down through the natural deterioration process. This is not the kind of stuff that anyone wants flowing out of an outlet pipe and making its way into a drain field if you have one. This sludge layer should be kept at least 12 inches from the outlet pipe, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Keeping the sludge layer below the outlet pipe means you must have the tank pumped regularly. 

It is best to have your septic tank checked periodically for sludge even if not pumped. 

There is no real way to know just how much sludge there is hanging out underground in your septic tank. Plus, the last thing you want to find out too late is that there are problems with the lines of the tank because there is too much sludge. This is one reason why it is actually good to have your septic tank checked by a professional on occasion, even if you do not think it is quite time for the tank to be pumped. During this visit, if the tank needs to be pumped, the contractor will go ahead and take care of it, but they will also give you a rundown of any problems they find as well. 

For more information on septic system services, contact a specialist, such as LP Murray.