Perhaps your septic tank is easy to access. maybe you've gotten a quote for professional cleaning and decide you want to save money. Whatever your reasons may be for considering a DIY septic tank cleaning project, it is best to take these ideas and stick them back on the proverbial shelf. Cleaning a septic tank is not a job for the faint of heart (or stomach), and there are really good reasons homeowners are perfectly willing to pay to have this dirty job done as needed. Here is a look at a few reasons why septic tank cleaning is not a DIY task.
In some states, it may be illegal to clean out your own septic tank.
Before you roll up your sleeves and determine that cleaning your own septic tank is something you can manage on your own, make sure you know your local and state laws about doing so. Some states do have restricting laws in place that prevent homeowners from handling septic tank cleaning on their own. In fact, some states even require that you submit proof that you've had your tank professionally cleaned at specifically outlined intervals. Ignoring these laws and going for a DIY septic tank clean could land you with stiff fines and penalties.
Making yourself extremely ill is a real possibility with septic cleaning.
When you have a professional septic tank pumping service tackle a clean out, they come equipped with long hoses and powerful machinery that allows them to clean out the tank without putting themselves in danger. Simply handling this waste can put you at risk of contracting bacterial illnesses and diseases because the waste is chock full of bacteria that is not good for your body. Something as simple as a tiny open sore on your finger or arm coming in contact with the wastewater in the tank can lead to serious infections and illnesses.
Getting rid of the septic waste can be a huge undertaking.
Say you do have the equipment you need to clean your own septic system and you have no qualms about doing it yourself. Even still, you face a huge problem: where will you take the collected waste? Because septic waste is a biologically hazardous material, this is not something you can collect and swing by your city dump to eliminate. In order to get rid of this waste, you usually have to have a permit and access to the governing city sewer waste plant, which can be hard to do if you are not a professional.
Share5 December 2017
Hi there, I am Wes Nelson. When I lived in my first home, I discovered the plumbing connected directly to a septic system on the land. The septic system consisted of a tank, lines and leach field that processed the waste. I had to quickly learn how the septic system worked to keep it in good shape. I had to pay close attention to the substances I sent down the drains or flushed down the toilet. I did not want to disrupt the colonies of bacteria hard at work processing the waste products. On this site, I would like to help others keep their septic system in good working order by sharing the information I discovered. Please visit again soon.
