Blog / Important Maintenance Information For Your Septic System

Septic System Maintenance

Proper design, installation, and maintenance of your septic system will maximize your system’s life. It will prevent failures that can be unsightly, foul-smelling, and threatening to your family’s health. Good maintenance reduces the risk of contaminating your well water, and may save you from costly repairs or system replacement.

Below we’ll discuss possible signs of trouble with your Septic System and some helpful maintenance tips.

Possible signs of Septic System trouble.

If your septic system has not been pumped out in 5 years, even if the system appears to be working well, sludge may have built up to the point where water is released without sufficient time in the tank for treatment and settling of particles. This situation may result in the pollution of groundwater or cause eventual clogging of the drainfield.

Be aware if you have a wet area or standing water occurs above the drainfield. This situation can develop when sludge particles clog the drainfield. For instance, a tree root or broken pipes keep the wastewater from dispersing through the entire drainfield, or when water use in the house regularly exceeds the design capacity of the system. When these conditions occur, wastewater does not move through the soil as it should, and instead rises to the surface creating a serious health risk and odor problems.

Maintenance Tips

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• Conserve water. Fix leaks and drips. If you replace old fixtures, install new "low flow" types.
• Do not overload the system -- this is the primary cause of system failures. Early morning and bedtime are peak water use times in the bathroom. Run dishwashers and washing machines at other times of the day. Don't do all the family laundry in one day. Liquid detergents should be used in place of powdered ones, as they pose a lower risk of build-up in the system.
• Do not use a garbage disposal or dump coffee grounds in the sink. Increasing the load of solids into the tank decreases the capacity and shortens the interval between pumpings.
• Do not pour fats and oils down the drain. They can build up and clog the septic tank pipes.
• Put paper towels, tissues, cigarette butts, disposable diapers, baby wipes, sanitary napkins, tampons and other material in a trash can, not the toilet. BEWARE, some products will say “Flushable” on the label; in most cases this is not a good idea.
• Use normal amounts of detergents, bleaches, household cleaners and other products. Avoid dumping solvents like drain cleaners, dry cleaning fluid, pesticides, photographic chemicals, paint thinner, nail polish remover, or auto products down the drain.
   

• Direct down spouts and runoff away from the septic field to avoid saturating the area with excess water.
• Dense grass cover and other shallow rooted plants are beneficial over a septic field. However, do not plant trees because large plant roots can clog or break the pipes.
• Avoid compacting the soil over the infiltration area. Do not drive or park vehicles over the area and don't build a shed, driveway, or install an above ground swimming pool in this area. These activities can also crack pipes or cause the distribution box to settle unevenly, meaning that effluent will only flow into part of the drain field.
• Tanks need to be pumped every two to five years, depending on use. If the tank gets too full, particles of scum or sludge will flush out of the tank. This material will clog the drain tiles and cause the septic system to fail.
• Hire a licensed professional to pump the waste out of your tank. The tank should be pumped out through the manhole, not the smaller inspection ports. The tank should be cleaned completely, leaving nothing in the tank. Make sure the baffles are inspected and that the tank is checked for leaks and root intrusions.