A commercial septic tank has to deal with hundreds of people using the restrooms and sinks every single day. After a long winter, the ground finally begins to soften. This is the perfect moment to see how your pipes coped with the stress. Now that the spring weather is really setting in, take some time to check on your infrastructure.
Checking the Drain Field for Standing Water
Go ahead and take a walk out to the area where your drain field is located. While there, check to see if the soil is firm or if it feels like a wet sponge. Commercial systems are much larger than residential ones. So, they need a lot of space for the water to soak back into the earth safely. If you see large puddles or notice that the grass is a bright, neon green, it could mean that the system is struggling to keep up with the demand. This happens because the heavy winter rains have packed the soil down too tightly, or maybe the tank is simply overdue for a professional pumping.
Inspecting High-Traffic Grease Traps
If your business involves a kitchen or a cafeteria, your grease traps have likely been working overtime during the holiday season and the cold winter months. Grease and oil can cool down and harden inside the pipes when the ground is cold. This creates a thick sludge that blocks the flow of water to the main tank. During your spring cleaning, you should have a professional open up the traps to scrape out any solid buildup that has gathered near the edges. It’s much cheaper to pay for a quick cleaning than to shut down your entire business for three days while a crew replaces a collapsed pipe.
Testing the Pumps and Alarms
Many commercial systems rely on electric pumps to move waste up a hill or across a large property. These mechanical parts can sometimes fail during the cold. Most large systems come with an alarm that rings or flashes a light if the water level gets too high. However, you should never wait for that alarm to go off before you check on things. You can test the sensors by manually triggering the float switch to make sure the motor kicks on immediately and runs quietly without any grinding noises. If the pump sounds like it’s struggling or if the wires look frayed from the cold, it’s time to call in a technician for help.
Educating Your Team on Proper Waste Habits
To really protect your septic system, talk to your employees about what should and should not go down the drains during their shifts. Commercial systems are damaged because people flush paper towels, wipes, or heavy chemicals that kill the good bacteria needed to break down waste. You can put up friendly signs in the restrooms or breakroom to remind everyone that the drains are only for water and toilet paper. This sort of education can prevent a considerable headache and a very expensive repair bill down the road.
Taking the time to check your commercial septic system this spring is one of the smartest ways to protect your business and your budget. Catching issues early allows you to focus on serving your customers instead of dealing with a messy plumbing emergency that forces you to close your doors. When you need commercial septic services in College Station, TX, contact Mustang Septic.