You mean i have a septic tank filter?

First off, not all septic tanks have a filter, especially the older septic tanks. Since January 1, 1999 North Carolina has required that a filter be installed when a septic tank is installed.  Cleaning a septic tank filter is different than septic tank pumping and cleaning it.

Filters are located on the septic tank outlet pipe where the effluents leave the tank and flows to the drainfield (leach field). A filter will help trap small particles of suspended solids and particle matter that was not caught in the portion of the tank where the majority of the sludge and scum is found.  Basically, a filter helps reduce the particulate matter and suspended solids before they enter the leach field.

Filters extends the life and efficiency of a leach field

The filter will reduce clogging of a drain field and helps increase the efficiency of the field. Overall the life expectancy of a septic leach field may be 15 to 20 years, with some lasting longer, i.e. 30 years, with proper maintenance and good soil.  Septic tanks may last 40 years +/-. This is one of the reasons many local health departments want a repair area to be identified on plans before they will issue a permit.

 Slow draining sinks and toilets may be related to a filter issue

If a filter is clogged or partially clogged, it may not be letting the effluent water from the tank flow into the drain (leach) field. Then the tank and sewer line may not drain properly and back-up around Septic Tank area and inside your home.

How often should you clean a septic filter?

This varies from system to system, type of filter and volume of use placed on the system. There are those who say each time you have the tank pumped you should have the filter cleaned. Many septic companies automatically do this as part of their service. However, if you start out checking your filter in six months after you first installed or after the first pumping of the tank of a home you bought, and it is pretty clean, then you might try going a year and then checking it. Over a period of years you will be able to determine what is the best cleaning schedule for your particular circumstances.

What should I expect of my Septic Service provider?

This is different from company to company, but at Full Service Septic we pump both compartments of your Septic Tank and will clean and reinstall the filter. We feel that this should be the way all companies should handle this procedure, after all you called us to have your Septic Tank pumped, not just half of it.

Can A Filter be installed on a existing system? 

The answer is Yes it can, adding a effluent filter to a existing system can only help with the amount of solids that can leave the Septic Tank and enter into the drainfield area. This can help reduce build up and blockage of the most expensive part of your Septic System.

We would be glad to provide you with septic tank cleaning services, give us a call Full Service Septic at 704-224-4199, we serve Salisbury, Rowan, Cabarrus, Davie, Davidson, Iredell, North Mecklenburg and Stanly counties  

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