SEPTIC SYSTEM QUESTIONS

Maintenance and Care

My clients are my passion, and I go the extra mile to make sure they’re satisfied. Want to know more? Check out the list of common questions and answer's below and let me know if you’d like more information.

WHAT IS A SEPTIC SYSTEM?

A typical septic system consists of a septic tank and a drain field or leaching Field. Septic systems are used by rural homes, typically homes outside of city limits. If the city supplies water to the home, then most likely the home also uses the city sewage system. A Septic system is an underground wastewater treatment structure. A healthy and properly functioning septic system uses nature and technology to store and treat the wastewater and the sewage that comes from the home. After the treatment process completes, the water then gets released back into nature and the local water table, via the drain field.

HOW DO I MAINTAIN A HEALTHY SEPTIC SYSTEM?

Septic system maintenance is not complicated, and it does not need to be expensive. Regular maintenance comes down to four main parts.

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1. Use water Efficiently

All of the water a household sends down its pipes winds up in its septic system. The more water a household conserves, the less water enters the septic system. Efficient water use improves the operation of a septic system and reduces the risk of failure.

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   2. Properly Dispose of Waste

Whether you flush it down the toilet, grind it in the garbage disposal, or pour it down the sink, shower, or bath, everything that goes down your drains ends up in your septic system. What goes down the drain affects how well your septic system works. Toilets are not trash cans!  An easy rule of thumb is don't flush anything that's not human waste and toilet paper down the toilet.

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  3. Maintain Your Drain Field
The drain field is a very important part of the septic system that removes contaminants from the liquid that emerges from your septic tank. Here are a few things you should do in order to keep a healthy system and maintain the drain field;

• Parking: Never park or drive on your drain field.

• Planting: Plant trees the appropriate distance from your drain field to keep roots from growing into your septic system.  

• Location: When designing for the location of your drain field, make sure to keep roof drains, sump pumps, and other rainwater drainage systems away from the drain field area. Excess water can slow down or stop the wastewater treatment process. The drain field will be tested at the time the septic system is inspected.

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  4. Inspect and clean your tank regularly and as needed.

Our next question and answer have more information.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD I HAVE MY SEPTIC TANK INSPECTED AND PUMPED (OR CLEANED)?

The average household septic system should be inspected at least once every three years by a septic service professional. Household septic tanks are typically pumped every three to five years, depending on some factors. Four main  factors influence the frequency of septic tank pumping:

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• Household size

• Total wastewater generated

• The volume of solids in wastewater

• Septic tank size

OTHER THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND...

Maintaining your septic system will always save you money in the long run!

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Regular maintenance fees of $300 to $700 every three to five years is a bargain compared to the cost of repairing or replacing a failing or malfunctioning system, which can cost between $5,000 and $10,000 for a standard system. 

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Keeping records of the work that gets performed on your septic system will help you and your septic professional if something ever goes wrong in the future. You can find some blank septic system maintenance record forms available to download and print using the download link below. Keep track of when to pump out your tank, write down the sludge and scum levels found by the septic professional. Make sure to note any issue's found by us. Also, note the repairs completed and the tank condition found in your system’s inspection report. If other issues are mentioned, be sure to fix as soon as possible to ensure the health of you and your neighbors.