Welcome to all our new desert residents!
Hesperia and the surrounding areas have seen a lot of new population influx, and if you’re among our new neighbors, we’re glad to have you. Desert living does take some getting used to, and Roto-Rooter is here to help as best we can – at least as far as your plumbing is concerned.
In particular, one thing that often trips up people who’ve moved out of the city is the matter of owning a septic system. A lot of areas out here don’t have full municipal sewer lines, so there’s a good chance that your new home has a septic tank installed. If this is your first time owning a septic system, it can be a bit overwhelming – and there are definite do’s and don’ts if you want your system to work as efficiently as possible.
So, we’ve put together a list of the most common questions we hear from newcomers, about septic system services in Hesperia. If you’re new to septic system ownership, hopefully, this will have the information you need!
Answering Common Questions About Septic System Service in Hesperia
- How do septic tanks work?
This topic can be a bit complicated since there are a few different configurations. However, we can give you a brief overview of the theory.
At the most basic, a septic system is made up of two key components, plus the plumbing tying everything together. The main part is the septic tank itself. The tank is attached to your home, and every drain in the house flows into the septic tank. (This is important to know!) Every drop of water you use goes into the tank.
As your wastewater flows into the tank, it naturally separates. Solids fall to the bottom; lighter fluids rise to the topic. There is also a complete ecosystem of micro-organisms in your tank. These microbes thrive on your waste products! They take the most noxious parts of your wastewater and make them less noxious.
Your septic system also has a component called a drain field, which is an area below your lawn, which is usually filled with gravel. As the materials in your tank are processed by the microbes, the extra water flows into this drain field, where it seeps into the ground to rejoin the water cycle.
2 – Does my septic system need to be regularly emptied?
Yes! While the biological processing of your waste will help reduce the contents of the tank, it will fill up eventually. In particular, the solid wastes will continue to build up at the bottom.
Owning a septic tank means having it periodically cleaned.
- How often does the tank need to be cleaned?
This will vary somewhat depending on the size of your septic tank, and the amount of water your household uses. However, generally speaking, it’s recommended to have the tank cleaned every 3-4 years.
Most homes can push that to five years, but we do not recommend this. If your septic tank ever fills up completely, that means very bad things will start happening – like toxic wastewater backing up into your home! This is definitely a situation where it’s better safe than sorry.
- What are some signs my septic tank needs to be cleaned?
As we say, it’s probably better to just make regular appointments every three years or so. That way there’s no chance of overflow. However, if it is becoming full, you’ll definitely see warning signs. Some of the biggest are:
- Slow draining in every drain in the house
- Water backing up into drains
- Usage of water in one place causing backups in other places, like running the dishwasher and seeing backup into your sink
- Swampy areas of standing water on your lawn
- Noticeable unpleasant odors above the tank or drainage field
These can also be symptoms of a clog in your septic system, which can be similarly harmful. Either way, if you ever see these red flags, you will want to call for septic system service in Hesperia immediately.
- Can I clean my septic tank myself?
No, never. We realize a lot of companies in our position are going to tell you not to DIY such things, but in this case, it’s 100% legitimate. Doing septic tank work is genuinely dangerous, and the materials within it are toxic. Any sort of mishap would be life-threatening.
Always call the professionals if you need septic system work done.
- What happens in a septic tank cleaning?
The process is quite straightforward. In short:
- Your Hesperia septic system experts arrive, along with an empty tanker truck
- They locate the hatch at the top of your septic tank and dig it up. This may cause mild disruption to your lawn, but they’ll try to minimize the damage.
- A hose is lowered into the tank from the tanker truck, and the materials inside are pumped out.
- While the tank is open, the technicians will also look for any signs of physical damage (such as intruding tree roots) and check various other seals and pipes.
- In most cases, they will also check the drain field for other signs of damage.
- The tech will probably also ask you to flush your toilets, just to verify everything is working properly.
- If everything looks good, they close the hatch and re-cover it with turf.
- The waste materials are then properly disposed of, in accordance with environmental regulations.
- How long does a septic tank cleaning take?
Again, this will vary depending on the size of the tank and its overall condition. Generally, assume 1-2 hours, if there’s nothing else wrong.
If you want to speed up the process a bit, try to know where the hatch to your septic tank is located. If you don’t know this, it can sometimes take a while to find.
- Do I need to be at home for a septic tank cleaning?
It’s a very good idea, particularly if you have any children or pets which will need to be kept under control. If you absolutely cannot be there, however, arrangements can be made.
- Does a septic tank cleaning smell bad?
There are some odors, yes, particularly when the tank is first opened. However, they’ll blow away quickly. Feel free to stay in the house while we do the actual pumping work.
- Is there anything I can do to extend the life of my septic tank?
Yes, absolutely. The most important thing to remember is, as we said above, everything that goes down your drain will go into your septic tank. Be aware of what you’re flushing or sending down the kitchen sink.
Basically, you should flush nothing except bodily waste, and toilet paper. Nothing else. Also, please avoid using harsh chemical cleaners. Products such as bleach will harm the ecosystem within your tank, and if the microbes stop doing their job, the tank will fill up more quickly. Finally, if you have a garbage disposal, we strongly recommend limiting its use. Foods – particularly fats and grease – can easily clog or damage the tank.
Contact Roto-Rooter Today
Whenever you need septic system service in Hesperia, Roto-Rooter is here for you. Contact us 24/7 for a service call!
