If you have a septic system, then you need to regularly hire septic cleaning companies to keep it maintained. The frequency at which you need to hire a team can vary based on the size of the tank, how much water and waste your household uses, and the overall condition of the tank. If you've never hired septic cleaning companies before, then you may wonder what exactly they do. Read on to learn more.

Empties Septic Tanks

The first step that septic cleaning companies complete is emptying out your septic tank. They use a pump to extract all of the waste, sludge, and residue that is sitting in your tank. The waste is pumped into a truck where it will be disposed of later. This process is generally the fastest part of the septic cleaning process.

Flushes or Cleans Them

Once all of the sludge and waste are removed from the tank, septic cleaning companies will use degreasers, cleaners, and pressurized water hoses to clean the inside. This helps to remove any residue that is sticking to the walls or the base. This process may be repeated multiple times until the tank is clean.

Restores the Natural Biological Balance of Your Tank

The final step that occurs during the septic cleaning process is restoring the natural balance of your tank. Your tank needs to have the right biological balance to ensure that waste breaks down. A company may introduce healthy bacteria or enzymes into the tank to help restore that natural biological balance after cleaning has disrupted the balance.

One of the key elements that affect how frequently you need to hire septic cleaning companies is how big your tank is. When determining the ideal capacity of a septic tank for a home, septic tank installers multiply the number of bedrooms by 150 gallons, and then multiply that total by two, according to Bob Vila. This is based on the assumption that there are two people staying in each bedroom and that each person uses approximately 150 gallons of water per day. Generally speaking, your tank should be cleaned about every three to five years, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency. If you need help cleaning your tank, then we can help you. Call us today at CT Brown Sanitation & Drain Cleaning to schedule an appointment.