Everyone waits for the holiday season the entire year, and it is surely a magical time, too, filled with family gatherings, festive meals, and joyous celebrations. However, during all the festivities and feasts, your septic tank may have been working overtime to keep up with the increased water and waste usage, from multiple showers to endless dishwashing and even more toilet flushes than usual.
Once the guests have left and the decorations are packed away, there will be this one question that remains: Is your septic tank ready to handle the aftermath?
You can understand the status of your septic tanks based on a few signs. If you’ve noticed slow drains, odd gurgling sounds, or a lingering smell of sewage, it could be your system’s way of saying, “Help! I’m overwhelmed!”
Now, you don’t need to be overwhelmed, because, through this article, we will guide you through the importance of post-holiday septic tank emptying, the potential issues caused by holiday strain, and how we can help keep your system in top condition. And if you’re wondering how often a septic tank needs emptying or the cost of such services, we’ve got you covered too.
Impact of Holiday Strain on Septic Tanks
The holiday season is a celebratory occasion, but it also involves extra household activities such as hosting guests and preparing meals. With so much on the plate, your household would be bustling with activities. Though it is a part of the festive mode, the hard truth is that it puts a significant strain on your septic system in the following ways.
Holiday Gatherings and Higher Water Usage
One of the most obvious impacts of holidays is the family gatherings and parallelly the increased water usage. Extra guests mean more showers, laundry, and dishwashing. During the holiday season, water consumption can spike significantly.
Remember that scene from the movie – Home Alone, where Kevin McCallister’s house is overrun with family members before their holiday trip? While the chaos of having too many people using the bathroom was played for laughs in the movie, in practicality, it’s a real concern for your septic system.
To elaborate on how the increased water can be bad for your septic system, here’s a small example. On average, a family of four uses around 300 gallons of water per day. However, during the holidays, this number can increase by 30 – 40% or more depending on the visitors count. With all the extra water, your septic system has to work harder to process waste and eventually the risk of overfilling or overflowing increases.
Food Waste and Grease from Holiday Cooking
When it is the holiday season, then it also means festive feasts. But, here’s what we are ignoring. It’s also a time when food waste and cooking grease are at their highest. While preparing large meals, we often dispose of fats, oils, and grease (FOG) down the drain. These substances together or separately can easily cause blockages in your septic system, as they solidify over time and create tough, greasy clogs.
Increased Use of Toilets
Furthermore, with more people in the house during the holiday season, your septic system faces a significant load as guests use the bathroom more frequently. To add to that, Improper flushing can also exacerbate the problem.
Sometimes, items like wet wipes, sanitary products, or even paper towels are flushed, even though they shouldn’t be. These practices have never been a good indication of a healthy septic system. Hence, after the holiday season, consider having your septic tank emptied to remove any accumulated waste and avoid a potential plumbing disaster.
Blockages and Clogs in the Drain
The combination of increased water usage and improper disposal of waste in the septic system often leads to blockages and clogs in your drains. Overuse can cause slow drainage or even complete blockages, leading to water backing up into sinks, tubs, or toilets.
If you notice any of these early warning signs, gurgling sounds from the toilet, slow drainage, or foul odours, it’s crucial to address the issue immediately. These symptoms often indicate that your pipes or septic tank are starting to clog.
Potential Pipe Damage
Finally, all the extra pressure placed on your septic system during the holidays can put a strain on the pipes. Pipes that are already under stress due to high water usage, food waste, and clogs can now develop leaks or even breakage.
Once any damage occurs to the pipes in the septic system, these issues would be costly and disruptive to repair, making it all the more important to monitor your system and take preventive measures.
How Long Can a Septic Tank Last?
On average, a well-designed and carefully managed septic tank can function effectively for 15 to 40 years. However, its lifespan depends on various factors, including tank size, household usage patterns, and the level of care it receives.
Also, regular maintenance plays a crucial role in prolonging the life of your septic system. If you’re neglecting routine care, such as scheduling septic tank pumping, then it can lead to blockages, system failures, and even costly repairs.
How Often Does a Septic Tank Need Emptying?
Typically, septic tanks should be emptied every 1 to 3 years, depending on a few factors such as household size, water usage, and the system’s capacity. A larger household generating more wastewater will require more frequent septic tank pumping.
Furthermore, if the household has had a huge number of guests for more than a week during the holidays or festive season, then it is advised to consider getting your septic tank emptied as part of your post-holiday routine to avoid unpleasant surprises.
Why is it Important to Empty Septic Tanks After Holidays?
During the holiday season, your septic system would have been put under a significant strain. Addressing and resolving these issues as a part of your septic tank maintenance is essential and it would also be beneficial, such as follows.
Prevent Overflow and Backups
One of the most immediate risks associated with ignoring your septic tank maintenance schedule after the holiday season is the increased risk of backups/overfilling which can eventually lead to overflowing.
When your septic tank becomes too full, waste has nowhere to go but back into the pipes and drains of your home. This causes sewage to back up into your yard or even inside your house, which is an unpleasant and often costly mess to clean up.
By emptying your septic tank post-holidays, you can reduce the risk of such overflows, keeping your home and garden safe and hygienic.
Extend the Life of Your Septic System
The septic system can last from 15 – 40 years if maintained well. However, neglecting routine maintenance can shorten its lifespan significantly. Regular septic tank pumping ensures that solids do not accumulate in the tank, which is the leading cause of clogged pipes and even system failure. By keeping your septic tank emptied and well-maintained, you’ll help it run efficiently for years to come, avoiding costly repairs and prolonging the life of the system.
Stay Safe from Costly Repairs
Septic system repairs can be very expensive, with some repairs costing thousands of pounds. If your septic system fails due to carelessness, you may have to replace the entire system, which is far more expensive than regular maintenance. For example, repairing or replacing damaged pipes can easily cost anywhere from £1,000 to £5,000, depending on the severity of the issue.
Routine maintenance, such as septic tank pumping, is a small investment that helps to avoid these major costs. Think of it as an investment in the long-term health of your septic system and your home.
Time to Relax Post Holidays
After the busyness of the holiday season, the last thing you want to deal with is septic tank issues. However, taking care of this maintenance task now, when the festivities are over, would be a safe option. You can rest post-holidays knowing that your septic system is functioning properly, and you won’t have to worry about the possibility of a messy overflow in the beginning or the middle of the new year.
Maintain a Healthy and Hygienic Home Environment
The health of your septic system directly impacts the hygiene of your household. A clogged or overflowing septic tank can result in unpleasant odours and contaminated water. Some septic system failures and leakages are very minuscule in the beginning, you wouldn’t even notice unless you pay keen attention to it. For example, untreated sewage can contaminate drinking water, attracting pests, and insects. Furthermore, these leakages can act as a breeding ground for bacteria and it could pose a serious health hazard.
Post Holiday Tank Maintenance in a Nutshell
The holiday season can place a significant strain on your septic system, and as a result, it’s crucial to prioritise septic tank maintenance as soon as the celebrations are over. Emptying your septic tank after the holidays is essential and beneficial in the long run as it prevents backups and overflows, extends the life of your system, and helps avoid expensive repairs.
It also contributes to a clean, healthy, and hygienic home environment, allowing you to start the new year with a fresh start and not with concerns related to septic tank leakages. Don’t wait for problems to arise, proactive maintenance now can save you from costly issues down the line.
Take Care of Your Septic Tanks Post Holidays with Thistle Tanks
Taking care of your septic tank after the holiday season is essential, and at Thistle Tanks, we’re here to help make the process stress-free. Whether you need to empty a septic tank, maintain a cesspit, or service a sewage treatment plant, our team of experts has you covered. We also offer additional services, such as effluent tank hire and welfare unit emptying, providing comprehensive solutions for all your septic system needs.
When it comes to choosing a service provider, Thistle Tanks stands out for all the right reasons. We pride ourselves on our efficiency, offering quick and reliable septic tank pumping services across Leicester and surrounding areas.
Wondering about the emptying septic tank cost? We make it simple and transparent. At Thistle Tanks, we offer free, no-obligation quotes for all our services. So, if you’re looking to take the hassle out of maintenance, give us a call today at 01455 413661, or email us to discuss your needs. Whether it’s a post-holiday clean-up or ongoing care, we’re here to ensure your septic system stays in peak condition.