Your septic tank is a living filter, an underground watertight container that must contend with everything you send down your pipes, from food waste, organic materials to chemicals and solid waste. It is designed so that heavier materials settle to the bottom where bacteria reduces them to sludge and gasses, and lighter waste products such as grease rise to the top to form a scum layer. But waste that does not decompose remains in the tank until it is pumped out. Now you can try here and there with occasionally pouring store-bought enzyme treatments down the drain, which can help stave off trouble, but they do very little to combat build-up in the tank. If not properly maintained, in time the septic tank will overfill and begin to malfunction, becoming a potential health hazard, as well as an expensive problem.
Signs of a faltering tank include pooling water above or near where the tank is buried, foul odors coming from the ground, while indoors, slow drains, sewage backing up into sinks and toilets can indicate trouble. And while a little fertilizer is good for your lawn, if the grass growing above or near the tank seems overly green and lush compared to other areas of the yard, then there’s a very good chance the tank is overburdened and starting to fail. If you think you see any of these warning signs, it’s best to call in “back-up” before a small problem becomes a major one.
There are a number of factors to keep in mind when bringing in professional help. First, choose a company that is state certified, where those who will be doing the work are licensed and insured. Get references from friends and neighbors who have had similar work done, and visit their homes or businesses to see the results for yourself. You will probably be better off with a locally-owned business, that works within the community, and will strive to ensure that any Sewage Restoration in Eustis FL meets local health requirements. Look for a company that is environmentally friendly, even beyond sewage cleanup. Some companies even offer a service where they can recycle septic waste, turning it into fuel, fertilizers, and soil enhancements.