If you live in a rural area, or if you’re not connected to your local sewer system for some reason, installing a septic tank or cesspool is your only option for indoor plumbing. In our years in business, we’ve found that a lot of folks don’t know much about their cesspool in terms of how it works or what kind of things need to be done to maintain it—and that’s not good, as ignorance often leads to problems with the system. This post will cover what you need to know about your cesspool and how you can care for it.
How does a cesspool work?
Before we dig into how you can maintain your cesspool, it’s important to know how a cesspool works, and what differentiates a cesspool from a modern septic tank. A cesspool is a concrete tank stored underground in your backyard that’s connected to your home by underground pipes. When you flush your toilet or turn on your faucet, that water flows from the pipes down into the cesspool.
Once the water enters the tank, bacteria begin feeding on the waste. Solid waste sinks to the bottom and scum floats to the top. Unlike a septic tank, which has pipes that lead to your septic field in Modesto, CA, water in your cesspool flows out of it and into the ground via small openings. Since cesspools are less effective at dispersing waste, they’re actually illegal to own in some states.
What kind of maintenance needs to be done?
Like most other appliances and amenities in your home, cesspools and septic tanks need regular maintenance, professional cleaning and occasional septic pumping in Modesto, CA. The biggest thing you can do as a homeowner to maintain your cesspool is to be mindful of what goes down your sinks and toilets.
When it comes to flushing your toilet, make sure you’re not flushing anything other than toilet paper and human waste. Even products that claim to be “flushable” can clog your pipes and take a long time to biodegrade.
While preventative maintenance is all up to you and your family members, your septic tank and septic field in Modesto, CA need to be cared for by a professional. It’s a good idea to call an expert once a year to inspect your tank. We’ll check your pipes and tanks to ensure there aren’t any clogs and make sure that your tank is still structurally sound.
Additionally, we’ll need to pump out your tank every three to five years, depending on the size of the tank and how often you use it. Neglecting to pump your tank leads to smelly backups in your home and may even necessitate repairs. If it’s been a while since you’ve had it pumped, give us a call! We can perform a quick test to determine whether or not it’s time to pump.
Don’t trust anyone else but Alvarado Pumping Septic Service to care for your cesspool or septic field in Modesto, CA. We have decades of experience and offer our services at some of the most competitive rates in the area. Reach out to us today to learn more or schedule service!