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Maintenance & Inspections Services
Septic System Inspections and Maintenance For Uninterrupted Routines
The last thing you want is your day-to-day interrupted by a septic system failure. Regular maintenance of the septic tank and drain field on your property is necessary to make sure routines can continue uninterrupted.
For regular inspections, get maintenance contracts renewed on time, especially if you have ATUs or Performance-Based Treatment Systems installed. Sign with the APALACHEE BACKHOE & SEPTIC TANK LLC. team for timely septic system inspections and maintenance.
Sign A Maintenance Contract for Timely Septic Services
Routine septic tank maintenance involves scheduled inspections and pumping every 3 to 5 years to prevent sludge accumulation and avoid potential system failures. If you have installed ATUs or Performance-Based Treatment Systems. Here’s what you need to know:
If you have an ATU, you will need a maintenance contract with an approved entity for the lifetime of the system. For a new installation, the maintenance contract is valid for at least 2 years, and then subsequent contracts are renewed yearly. A minimum of 2 yearly inspections from the entity is mandatory and one from the Department of Health.
You’ll need a maintenance contract with an approved entity for Performance-Based Treatment Systems as well. Samples from the system will need to be collected as frequently as every 3 months and reports sent to the Department of Health.
Our Septic System Inspection Checklist
Septic system maintenance is very important in the Big Bend, given Florida’s delicate ecosystem. Getting behind on regular inspections or maintenance could be potentially harmful to local groundwater, springs, and lakes.
The State of Florida also has strict rules about inspections and maintenance, especially in the case of advanced septic systems. If you have installed Aerobic Treatment Units (ATUs) or nitrogen-reducing filters, there are more stringent regulations to follow. Here’s a checklist of what to expect. Note that commercial properties have higher regulatory standards, and county health department offices will be involved in the permitting and inspection.
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Tank
The first thing we will inspect is the septic tank itself. Cracks (small or big), leaks, and the overall structural integrity of the septic system will be looked over.
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Flow Test
It’s essential to check if the drains that lead out of the building are not blocked. A flow test will be done to see if the wastewater flows into the septic tank as it should.
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Components Check
We will do a quick check for the functioning of key components like baffles, risers, lids, filters, ATUs, inlet and outlet pipes, and report any damages or blockages.
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Levels Check
Scum and sludge levels will need to be seen and we’ll tell you if the septic tank is due for a pumpout soon.
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Pumps
We will inspect the pump to see if the float components are working properly.
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High Water Alarm
A basic check to ensure that the high water alarm and the float components are doing their jobs properly.
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Drain Field
Drain fields shouldn’t get oversaturated and fail to drain effluents properly. Soil will be inspected and we’ll check for damage to the drain field pipelines as well.
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Overall Functioning
Evaluate the septic system's general condition and performance, along with any possible effects it may have on the environment.
Steps We Take For A Thorough Septic System Cleaning
Proper septic system cleaning is essential for a safe and functional waste management system. It involves inspection, pumping, and cleaning to ensure that the system continues to operate optimally and doesn't pose a risk to health or the environment.
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Inspection
✅ Locating the septic tank and its access points, then checking the tank’s wastewater levels to determine if there’s any backup or overflow.
✅ Inlet and outlet pipe inspection to see if they're not clogged or damaged.
✅ Checking the structural integrity of baffles, risers, and filters.
✅ Evaluating the drain field (leach field) for soggy ground or foul odors.
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Pumping
✅ We’ll remove sludge and scum from the tank using a vacuum truck. Effluent waste is carefully suctioned out to avoid damage to the tank or plumbing.
✅ All chambers of the septic tank are emptied to ensure a complete clean.
✅ Our technician may also backflush water into the tank, if necessary, to help loosen solid waste from the walls and corners.
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Cleaning
✅ Residues are sprayed or rinsed off the interior walls of the tank using high-pressure water.
✅ Filters and baffles are cleaned or replaced if clogged.
✅ If the tank has not been serviced in a while, hardened solids may be manually broken up and removed.
✅ The system is checked thoroughly for any blockages or damage that may require repair.
Why Not Add In The Good Bacteria?
Bacterial additives bring in “beneficial” bacteria into septic systems to aid in breaking down waste. These additives are available in powders, liquids, or tablets. They are often used to improve system efficiency or reduce the frequency of pumping. Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) oversees the regulation of products used in onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems (OSTDS).
Compliance: Bacterial additives must not contain substances that interfere with the septic system’s operation or cause discharges that violate water quality standards.
Review Process: Additive makers are to submit detailed product information, including composition and toxicity data, for DEP review.
Letter of No-Objection: If a product meets the necessary criteria, DEP may issue a letter of no-objection, indicating that the product does not interfere with system function, but it is not an endorsement
Contact Apalachee Backhoe & Septic Tank LLC for septic service today!
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