Your Guide On Septic System Maintenance

If you live in a rural community, there’s a high possibility your home’s wastewater is handled by a septic system. And if you’re a first-time septic tank owner, you might not realize that keeping your septic system running smoothly necessitates some maintenance. 

The good news is that septic system upkeep does not have to be difficult, costly, or time-consuming. Maintaining your septic system’s basic care and maintenance will ensure that it continues to function effectively for many years ahead.

Schedule Regular Septic Tank Inspections

If you don’t keep up with basic maintenance, your septic system could require major repairs or even replacement. Homeowners must ensure that their septic systems and septic drain fields are properly maintained in order for them to remain healthy.

Regular inspections and maintenance will help your septic system stay in good shape. Inspections can aid in the detection of small concerns such as water leaks, which can cause the septic tank to overflow. Repairing minor issues as soon as possible will help prevent them from becoming major concerns down the road.

It’s also crucial to have your septic tank pumped out on a regular basis. The frequency with which the septic tank should be pumped out can be determined by a number of factors, including:

• Household size 
• Septic tank size 
• Amount of wastewater generated
• Age of the septic tank

If you are still uncertain, it’s a good idea to have your septic tank pumped out every 3 to 5 years as a form of maintenance.

Dispose of Waste Properly

Everything that goes down your drains, whether flushed down the toilet, crushed in the garbage disposal, or poured down the sink, shower, or bath, eventually ends up in your septic tank. The quality of your septic system is greatly influenced by what goes down the drain. Maintenance for your septic tank is as easy as just watching what you’re putting down your drains in your home.

To avoid particles from accumulating within the septic tank, use the garbage disposal/garburator as little as possible. This accumulation can clog or choke the drain field very fast. It’s also extremely harmful to dump grease down the drain. Grease can build up in the drainage pipes, causing them to clog. If you pour too much grease down the drain, it will start to clog the drain field, requiring expensive repairs.

Never flush anything down the toilet that is not human waste or toilet paper.

Each septic tank contains bacteria that aids in the breakdown of particles in the tank. Pouring chemicals down the drain and into the septic system could destroy this bacteria, resulting in future problems. Using eco-friendly cleaners will help to reduce the disturbance of the bacteria in the septic system.

Use Water Efficiently 

Overuse of water is a common cause of septic system failure. Inspect for leaks in toilets and faucets and make any required repairs. This will aid in lowering the amount of water entering the septic tank. In other words, not overusing water is a great way to keep up on the maintenance of your septic system.

In a standard home, the average daily indoor water use is about 70 gallons per person. A single running or leaking toilet can waste up to 200 gallons of water every day. A septic system’s performance is improved and the risk of failure is reduced when water is used efficiently.

There are many eco-friendly and water efficient products available such as high-efficiency toilets, faucet aerators and high efficiency shower heads. Implementing some of these products into your home can greatly improve the performance and longevity of your septic system.

Maintain a Clear Drain Field 

It’s never a good idea to park or drive over a drain field. You should keep things like storage sheds, patios, carports, and any form of landscaping plastic out of this area. This will prevent the soil in this area from compacting, which could lead to burst pipes.

Check to make sure that any rainwater drainage systems are not draining into your septic system. You can slow down or stop the treatment process if there is too much water.

Grass is the best choice for your drain field because it helps to prevent erosion. Plants with a shallow root system can be grown near the drain field. Plants with longer root systems such as trees should always be planted far enough away from the drain field to prevent their roots from growing and causing damage to the system. Altogether, these are great ways to keep up with good maintenance on your septic system.

Be Sure You Can Easily Access the Septic Tank Lid

On the positive side, a septic tank riser is an excellent addition to your septic tank. Inspections will become less expensive and time-consuming as a result. A riser also offers minimal mess and interruption to your yard when it’s time to have your septic tank emptied. This is a great way to keep up on the maintenance that’s needed for your septic system.

Final Thoughts 

A properly maintained septic system can greatly increase the longevity of your septic system and will ultimately save you money in the long run. Overall, it is important to take these factors into consideration and apply them to your septic system’s maintenance. 

Call 1-Tom-Plumber

Don’t hesitate to contact us here or call us at 1-Tom-Plumber (1-866-758-6237) if you need any plumbing, drain cleaning, water damage, or excavation service. 1-Tom-Plumber’s certified team of plumbers and drain technicians respond immediately to any emergency plumbing, drain cleaning, or water damage problem. We also handle the excavation of underground water lines and sewer main lines. Our immediate-response team is available every day and night of the year, even on holidays.