Ensure your septic system remains in top condition with regular inspections, pumping, and cleaning by licensed professionals. The frequency of septic maintenance depends on factors such as local regulations, tank size, system type, household size, and usage. As a general rule, septic systems should be serviced every 3 years.
Maintain detailed records of all septic system maintenance and inspections. For homeowners, these records are valuable when selling a property, demonstrating proper care and system upkeep to potential buyers. For renters responsible for septic maintenance, keeping these records shows due diligence and provides protection against liability in the event of major damage or system failure. This documentation can be crucial in proving that the system has been properly maintained over time.
Address septic tank or system issues promptly at the first sign of trouble. Common warning signs include soft, damp soil around the tank, visible puddling, foul sewage odors inside or outside the home, slow or backed-up drains, and unusual gurgling sounds when flushing the toilet. Acting quickly can help prevent more serious damage and costly repairs, ensuring your system continues to function properly.
Limit the simultaneous use of water-intensive appliances to prevent overloading your septic system. By spacing out the operation of washing machines, dishwashers, and showers, you can reduce the risk of overwhelming the system with excessive water flow. This helps avoid premature effluent release and safeguards the delicate microbial environment essential to your septic system’s performance and longevity.
Ensure the septic tank lid is easily accessible for routine inspections and pumping through the use of a septic tank riser. Keeping the access point clear and visible prevents the need for time-consuming digging or searching, especially if it’s been obscured by overgrown vegetation. This simplifies maintenance and ensures quick, efficient access when needed. Contact us today to enquire about septic riser installation.
Assess and enhance your home’s water efficiency. Consider upgrading to water-saving fixtures like aerated faucets, shower heads, and low-flow toilets. These improvements can reduce the volume of wastewater entering your septic tank, lower your water bills, extend the time between maintenance services, and benefit both the environment and your local water supply system.
Think about replacing or upgrading your septic tank. If your septic system is outdated, investing in a modern tank can help prevent potential issues down the line. Additionally, if you plan to sell your home, upgrading the septic tank can enhance its value and serve as a strong selling point for prospective buyers.
Septic System Don’ts
Avoid flushing any trash or debris down the toilet into your septic tank. The only acceptable non-human waste item that should enter a septic tank is toilet paper. All other items should be disposed of in the trash. Common culprits that often end up in septic systems include cigarette butts, diapers, baby wipes, cotton swabs, feminine hygiene products, and plastic packaging materials.
Avoid pouring chemicals down sinks or drains. Only cleaning products used in recommended amounts should enter your septic system. Approved examples include cleaners specifically designed for toilets, showers, and surfaces. Using excessive amounts or improperly disposing of chemicals can significantly harm the microbiological balance essential for your septic system’s functionality.
Avoid disposing of food waste in your septic tank. Do not place food materials, scraps, or coffee grounds down sinks or toilets, including fats and greases. While using a garbage disposal is permissible with septic systems, it may necessitate more frequent tank pumping or a larger tank size for new installations.
Refrain from placing any structures over your septic tank or drain field (also known as the leach field). This includes concrete, asphalt, decks, and buildings. Covering these areas can block access for maintenance and greatly impair the effectiveness of the drain field, potentially leading to costly issues down the line.
Avoid planting or allowing deep-rooted vegetation to grow over your septic tank and drain field. Tree roots can penetrate septic tanks, causing cracks, displacing drain field piping, and reducing soil permeability for effluent. This can lead to significant damage and costly repairs, so it’s best to keep these areas clear of deep-rooted plants.
Avoid over-watering the septic drain field. Excessive watering, such as that from a sprinkler system, can overwhelm the drain field. It’s advisable to limit the use of sprinkler systems over your septic area unless the watering is conservative and closely monitored to prevent saturation and potential system failure.
Avoid overloading the septic system by running the washing machine continuously throughout the day. While it’s understandable to catch up on laundry, spreading loads over two days or more is better for your septic system. This practice helps manage the amount of water and laundry detergent entering the system, promoting its health and efficiency.
Never enter an active or used septic tank for any reason. In addition to the serious risk of drowning, septic tanks contain harmful, noxious gases that can pose significant health risks. Even leaning into the tank can be dangerous, so it’s crucial to avoid any direct contact with the interior.
