Septic Tanks in Washington

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Septic Tanks in Washington, DC

The fundamental function of the septic tank is to remove solids from raw wastewater. This process is known as primary treatment.

At this stage 60%–80% of total suspended solids (TSS) are removed from the wastewater and almost 80% of the FOG is removed. Of the solids removed from the wastewater, some dissipate and others are stored in the tank. Up to 50% of the solids retained in the tank decompose; the rest accumulate as sludge and scum and must be removed periodically.

We can take care of your septic tank from day one with installation, and keep it (and your commercial property) in great shape with routine septic tank pumping. We began in 1950, and we’re now in our 3rd generation as a family-owned business. We stake our business on our reputation. Call Magnolia Commercial Plumbing, Heating & Cooling today to request an estimate or schedule an appointment.

Septic Tank FAQs

How can I find my septic tank?

If you are not in emergency mode you can reach out to your local health department and request the location of your septic tank. Your local health department should have this information on record. Unfortunately, most people are only in search of the tank when they are in emergency mode and can’t wait for the health department. First, try to locate where the main sewer exits the building structure. If you locate this exit point, go outside and take a probing rod and start probing in the general area anywhere between 5’ to 15’ from the building structure. Most tanks are only a couple of feet below the ground’s surface. If the above-mentioned options fail, you will most likely have to spend some money with a plumbing/septic contractor to locate the tank. Most plumbing/septic contractors are capable of using locating equipment to find the tank.

How often should my septic tank be pumped?

This is a great question and the answer is not the same for everyone. There are charts that take into account the capacity of the tank, the number of fixtures in the home, and the number of people living in the household. These charts are pretty good and can result in excellent guidelines to go by. Others say that having it pumped once every three years is the best rule of thumb.

The best answer that can be used for every tank is that the tank should be pumped when the top layer of scum/grease and the bottom layer of sludge/solids exceed 33% of the total liquid volume of the tank. The wastewater in every septic tank is separated into three (3) distinct layers. All heavy solids will fall to the bottom. This layer is referred to as sludge. All lighter material such as grease will float to the top. This is referred to as the scum layer. The rest of the wastewater will remain in the middle. This layer is referred to as the clear zone. When the layer of scum and sludge added together surpass 33% of the total liquid depth, it’s time to have the tank pumped. This can only be determined when a competent contractor uses a sludge judge, dipstick, or similar tool to take these measurements.

Should my septic tank always be full?

Unless the tank is being pumped by a plumbing/septic tank contractor it should always be holding wastewater. The liquid level should be at the invert (bottom) of the outlet line. If the liquid level is below this point, there is a chance that the tank itself has been compromised and is actually leaking into the ground. This should be inspected by a qualified plumbing/septic contractor. If the liquid level is above the invert of the outlet line, it is an indication of a problem with a downstream component.

Where should my septic tank be pumped from?

This is another great question. Most systems have inspection ports, 3”–4” inspection pipes protruding out of the ground at the inlet and outlet of the septic tanks. The tank should never be pumped from these ports. Why? Because the tank will never be fully evacuated this way. Some tanks are single chamber tanks and some are double chamber tanks. The only way to evacuate the tank properly is to excavate (if the lids are below ground), remove the manhole covers, and pump all contents from the tank.

If my sewer is backed up, will pumping my tank relieve the problem?

Maybe, maybe not. Some septic systems are very elaborate and have many different components, such as pump/dosing tanks, aeration tanks, trash tanks, sand filters, leaching/drain fields, etc. When a sewer line backs up, it could be a problem between the house and the septic tank, or it could be a component beyond the tank. There is no way to diagnose this without having a qualified technician at the site.

We're ready to help.

We called Magnolia to help us with an emergency situation in our home.

Mario was incredibly professional and clean while working. He was kind and made sure we fully understood what was happening each step of the way. I would absolutely use this company again for future needs and highly recommend Mario!

Magnolia was great. They were extremely professional and honest.

Came in and had the job done quickly – moved all my appliances for me, wore booties, and even put down drop cloths. I couldn’t have asked for anything more. I highly recommend them to anyone looking for an exceptional plumbing company. Thank you Magnolia!

Magnolia plumbing was efficient and cost saving with replacing my water heater.

They made sure I checked the warranty of my tank so I did not unnecessarily purchase a new tank, and mine was still under warranty. I was very pleased and thankful for the fantastic work.

I needed to have several plumbing repairs handled

at my place of residence. So I contacted Magnolia Plumbing. They have always been professional and knowledgeable. Last week I have Duane Cunningham arrive and he was very polite and professional and very efficient. He explained all of what would be needed to perform the repairs and he performed each task timely and effectively. Magnolia Plumbing Heating and Cooling will always be my 1st choice.

Magnolia is full service,

including air conditioning, heating, plumbing and subcontracting for flues and chimney lining. I had a very old gas water heater and they replaced it within 2 days from doing an audit and even when I requested a switch to electric from gas at the last minute it was no problem. Pasquale is a professional and took care of every aspect, replaced leaking pipes, brought my gas boiler flue up to code and installed a high grade water heater; their pricing is very competitive.

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Septic Tanks in Washington