Decommissioning Septic Tank Services In The Greater Houston Area
Decommissioning septic tanks is important when wastewater systems reach the end of their useful lives. This may be up to 50 years, depending on the quality of your septic tank installation and maintenance services. However, even the best installed and maintained septic tanks will eventually need to be replaced or shut down entirely.
When it’s time to decommission your septic tank, you will need an expert septic company to handle the job. Partnering with an experienced professional will ensure the job is done efficiently and safely, so your property will be ready for a new wastewater system.
The process of decommissioning a septic tank generally looks like this:
Septic tank and any additional components are located
It’s generally easy for septic professionals to find an underground septic tank, as they are usually installed within a certain range of the primary drain. However, if there is any uncertainty, a septic expert has access to technology that can be used to detect subsurface tank components. This includes any treatment tanks, junction boxes, risers or other system components.
Power and wastewater flow to the septic tank are shut off
Before any work can begin on the septic tank, it must be disconnected from the property’s electrical and plumbing lines. This is done for safety’s sake and also protects the property from any unregulated wastewater flows, which is a messy situation no property owner wants to deal with.
The septic tank is pumped out
Regular pump-outs are a critical element of septic tank maintenance. A pump-out is also necessary when decommissioning a septic tank, as this is what cleans the tank out and removes any sludge left in the system.
Cleaning the tank out mitigates the effects of corrosion and ensures the tank can be removed without causing issues. Before and during the pump-out process, your septic system may be inspected for other signs of damage, such as cracks or ruptures.
The septic tank is either removed or filled with inert material
At this point, it’s decision time. Specifically, either the septic tank is removed, or it’s filled with a non-reactive material like gravel or sand. Removing the septic tank is more expensive and requires more work, but it may be required if you’re installing a new septic or aerobic system on your property. Filling the septic tank means it will stay in the ground, but this is a reliable way to decommission the septic tank at minimal cost and offers the same degree of safety.
The project site is cleaned up and restored
Now that the septic tank is offline, it’s time to patch up any part of the property that was ripped up during filling or removal. This includes replacing the topsoil and shaping the site so that proper drainage is maintained.
Out of sight out of mind isn’t a good adage when it comes to septic tanks. While it may seem like it’s safe to leave the septic tank alone and where it is, there are health and safety concerns with that approach, including:
Groundwater contamination
Over time, corrosion inside the septic tank caused by chemical processes will lead to cracks and other weaknesses. If the tank contains effluent when this wear emerges, it may result in leaks that contaminate local groundwater sources. That’s a problem for the local environment and anyone relying on clean water.
Harmful septic gases
Gas will build up inside an abandoned septic tank as the effluent inside breaks down. If the tank is left unsecured, these sewer gases may leak back onto the property and pose an inhalation hazard for anyone exposed to them.
Soil subsidence and collapse
As a septic tank fails, it may collapse in on itself, which may be followed by the surrounding soil to subside. If the soil collapses, it can pose a risk for anyone nearby.
Odors and backed up sewage
A failing septic tank may develop clogs after a long period of disuse, which can cause sewage to back onto the property or cause gases to build up and produce unpleasant odors.
Decommissioning a septic tank isn’t just about fulfilling a local ordinance. It is a critical health and safety process that every property owner is expected to observe when their wastewater system is at the end of its useful life.
Hire an Experienced Septic Company for Decommissioning a Septic Tank
Decommissioning a septic tank is an involved process that must be done with best practices to ensure safety and guarantee that there are no long-term issues following the process.
If your residential or commercial septic tank is no longer viable for your wastewater needs, or if your septic tank is failing due to age, consult with a proven septic company to determine the next steps and when they can begin decommissioning your septic tank.