Septic tanks are one of the last things you want to deal with breaking down on your property. A broken septic tank can lead to inconveniences and leave your house practically unusable for the time being. This is one of the reasons why proper maintenance is important.
A septic tank that is not maintained properly can also end up leaking, which can become a genuine health and safety hazard. Too many homeowners don't know how to properly care for their septic tanks, unfortunately. Even those who do are bound to make errors from time to time. Let's take a look at some of the dos and don'ts of proper septic tank maintenance.
Do - Try to Preserve Water
Preserving water is not only good for the environment, it will also help preserve your system. The less water you use, the less stress you’ll put on the system’s components.
You will need to find ways to save wherever you can. One of the things you could do is switch to baths or install a low-flow showerhead on all showers. You could install high-efficiency toilets as well.
You might also have to change some of your daily habits. Do not use the dishwasher or washing machine if there are only a few items in them. Wait until the dishwasher is full before using it. If your washing machine doesn't have a setting for smaller loads, then it would be a better idea to wait until it's full.
Don’t - Let the Tank Overflow
You need to remember to have the septic tank pumped regularly, especially if you have a large household or have high water usage. It's usually recommended that you have your septic tank pumped once every three to five years. This can be done more often depending on your usage, however.
Pumping is important since a layer of solids and sludge will start accumulating at the bottom of the tank. These can then end up contaminating the drain field or backing up into your toilets.
If you think your tank is due for pumping, we suggest you check out Hall’s Septic Services. They've been serving the community for close to 30 years and have received nothing but praise for the quality of their service. They will not only be able to pump your tank for you, but can perform a thorough inspection to see if there's any trouble brewing.
Do - Be Careful About What Goes Through the System
Did you know that something as simple as dental floss could be enough to cause a septic tank breakdown? Septic tanks are much more delicate than your average sewer system and have many moving parts. Even the tiniest things could end up jamming some of their components and cause issues.
If dental floss can cause problems, you can only imagine what things like cigarette butts, personal hygiene products, or big pieces of food could do to your septic tank long-term. Only things such as solid and liquid waste along with paper toilet roll should go through your system. Things like cotton balls, cat litter, coffee grounds, and diapers should never be flushed down the toilet. You should also limit your use of a garbage disposal or ditch it altogether. Be careful of how you dispose of chemical-ridden cleaning products as well.
There are many reasons for this. For one, chemicals can end up damaging the interior of the septic tank and its components. Second, strong chemicals could destroy the beneficial bacteria that help with the breakdown of waste. This means that you could end up making your tank much less efficient.
Don’t - Park Wherever You Want
You have to be careful to not park your car over your system at any given point. The septic tank and drain field should be marked with stakes so you know where they're located underground. Parking over the tank may lead to cracks and sewage leaks. Extra pressure on the drain field could also make its job more difficult.
Do - Follow Maintenance Instructions to the Letter
If you know who installed the septic system, they should be able to give you all the instructions on how to maintain it. If you don’t know who installed it, or the last time the system was serviced, it would be wise to have your system inspected immediately. It’s recommended that you have your system inspected once every three years at the very least, but, if you want to be sure there will be no issues, we suggest you opt for annual inspections.
Don’t - Neglect Visual Inspections
You shouldn’t only rely solely on professional inspections to check your septic tank system is working as intended. You should also keep your eyes, ears, and nose open for signs and perform summary inspections from time to time.
If you ever notice a sulfur or rotten eggs odor coming from your septic tank, it should be cause for concern. You should also check if you see puddles of water around the septic tank area or the drain field. Also, if you notice that grass has a different shade or appearance around specific areas in your backyard, then this can be a sign of leakage or an inefficient drain field.
There are also much more serious signs like sewage backing up into your toilets. This usually means that there is a major problem with your system and that it will require immediate help. Even something like your toilets and sinks taking more time than usual to drain may be a sign of a much deeper issue.
Besides that, you should take any unusual sounds seriously too. Pipes gurgling after you run the water or flush the toilet is something you need to pay attention to. It doesn't necessarily mean that your septic system is the problem, but it’s still a good idea to check if you know if it's been a while since you last had it serviced.
Septic tank problems happen and can be debilitating. But, if you follow the proper maintenance procedures and use them responsibly, you shouldn't have to deal with constant interruptions.
