Measuring Septic Tank Sludge Depth

Hamptons Septic Service has years of experience working on septic tanks and know the ins and outs of how to properly measure them and pump them. There are different parts of a septic tank to know and different methods depending the size of the septic tank. Do not go years without a septic tank inspection. Call on Hamptons Septic Service to get you the septic service you need.

7 Parts of Septic Tank

Here are seven of the most common parts of a septic tank:

Inlet pipe
Inlet baffle
Sum layer
Outlet pipe
Outlet baffle
Sludge layer
Clear zone

How Do You Know When to Pump Your Septic Tank?

The only way to know for sure when to exactly pump your septic tank is to go through the process of an actual measurement of accumulated sludge and scum. When the scum and sludge layer take up 30% of the volume of the tank then the tank should be pumped.

How Do You Determine When Tank Needs to Be Pumped?

Once we handle measuring of the sludge, we can determine when the tank needs to be pumped. The rate of scum/sludge accumulation can change over time, so it is suggested that checking is a yearly aspect. This is especially true if the number of people living in the home changes or a different family moves into the home. We will relay this information to you immediately so you have a general sense of when this needs to be completed. Hopefully it isn't too soon!

How To Properly Measure Scum Layer

Here are the general steps of how to properly measure the scum layer in your septic tank.

Push the instrument or tube through the scum layer until it just breaks through it.
Make a visible note of the relationship between the top of the scum layer and the location on the tube.
Pull the tube up and measure the length on the tube. Many times you will see some of the scum layer stuck to the tube to identify the location.

And here are the ways to measure the sludge at the bottom of the tank:

Lower the tube slowly into the tank until it stops at the tank bottom.
Quickly jerk the tube upward closing the check valve. This will capture the solid/liquid profile of the water in the septic tank. The sludge layer thickness is then measured.

Can I Measure Before Contacting a Professional?

You can build a device that can get the job done. You need a long slender stick or pipe that is approximately 8’ in length depending on the depth of the tank. Loosely wrap the bottom 2’ of the stick with cheesecloth and secure the cheesecloth to the stick at the bottom, middle and top with plastic wire ties, string or mechanics wire. Do not wrap it too tightly.

To measure the scum layer, then push the stick cheesecloth side down through the scum layer until it just breaks through the layer. Make a note of the relationship between the top of the scum layer and the location on the stick. Pull the stick up and measure the length on the stick. You will likely see some of the scum layer stuck to the stick to identify the location.

To measure the sludge layer, slowly lower the stick with the cheesecloth downward into the septic tank until the stick rests on the bottom of the septic tank. Slowly and gently move the stick back and forth to allow the solids to flow into the cheesecloth. Slowly draw the stick out of the septic tank. Measure the witness line of solids that are imbedded into the cheesecloth and then measure the “wet” mark on the upper end of the stick. The calculations is where it gets tricky and you must know the size of your tank.

Schedule Septic Pumping Service

Hamptons Septic Services has years of experience providing septic pumping services to our customers. Our septic pumping services are available to clients across the East End of Long Island from Montauk to Riverhead. If you believe you need septic pumping services, schedule an appointment today.

Schedule Pumping

For more information about our septic pumping services, please reach out to us today. We are available for both commercial and residential clients. Schedule your next cesspool service today!

On top of the regular septic services we provide, we also ensure responsiveness 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We know emergencies happen in life. When you encounter an emergency with your cesspool and are in dire need of pumping, we can be there for you with our emergency septic services! Get quick, responsive service with us!