Why Maintain Septic Tank? (TOP 5 Tips)

Keeps you and your neighbors healthy If a septic system is well-maintained and working properly, it will remove most of these pollutants. Insufficiently treated sewage from septic systems can cause groundwater contamination, which can spread disease in humans and animals.

therooterguysplumbing.com

• key reason to maintain your septic system is to save money! Failing septic systems are expensive to repair or replace, and poor maintenance is often the culprit. Having your septic system inspected regularly is a bargain when you consider the cost of replacing the entire system. Your system will need pumping depending on how many people live in the house and the size of the system. An unusable septic system or one in disrepair will lower your property value and could pose a legal liability.

Is it necessary to clean septic tank?

Inspect and Pump Frequently The average household septic system should be inspected at least every three years by a septic service professional. Household septic tanks are typically pumped every three to five years.

How often should septic tanks be maintained?

As a general rule, you should only need to empty your septic tank once every three to five years. That being said, the actual frequency will vary depending on your usage and how many people are living in your home.

What maintenance does a septic tank need?

Septic tanks should be inspected every 1 to 3 years. Whenever you move into a home with a septic tank, the tank should be pumped and inspected. Septic Tank maintenance is important because continued neglect of a tank may result in system failure or the need for replacement of the soil absorption area.

What happens if you don’t clean your septic tank?

What Are the Consequences of Not Pumping Your Tank? If the tank is not pumped, the solids will build up in the tank and the holding capacity of the tank will be diminished. Eventually, the solids will reach the pipe that feeds into the drain field, causing a clog. Waste water backing up into the house.

What are the signs that your septic tank is full?

Here are some of the most common warning signs that you have a full septic tank:

• Your Drains Are Taking Forever.
• Standing Water Over Your Septic Tank.
• Bad Smells Coming From Your Yard.
• You Hear Gurgling Water.
• You Have A Sewage Backup.
• How often should you empty your septic tank?

What will ruin a septic system?

Any paper products like tissues, paper towels, tampons, or sanitary products, even some heavier toilet paper, will clog your system if you flush enough of it. Wet wipes are another product that you should never flush into a septic system.

Can I shower if my septic tank is full?

Only the water would get out into the leach field in a proper system unless you run too much water too fast. The thing to do is to run your shower water outside into it’s own drain area, but it may not be allowed where you are. Used to be called gray water system.

How often does a 1000 gallon septic tank need to be pumped?

For example, a 1,000 gallon septic tank, which is used by two people, should be pumped every 5.9 years. If there are eight people using a 1,000-gallon septic tank, it should be pumped every year.

What to do after septic is pumped?

After you have had your septic tank pumped by a trusted septic company, there are some things you can and should do as the septic system owner.

1. 1) Get on a Schedule.
2. 2) Take Care of the System.
3. 3) Know the Parts of Your System.
4. 4) Check Other Possible Issues.

Are septic tanks high maintenance?

A septic system is reasonably maintenance-free. A well-constructed, properly maintained tank could last indefinitely. However, the leach field (the underground area where all of the sewage drainpipes are located) will most likely require some treatment or perhaps replacement after about 15 to 20 years of service.

How do I clean my septic tank naturally?

You can mix about a 1/4 cup of baking soda with 1/2 cup of vinegar and 2 tablespoons lemon to make your own natural cleaning agent. The baking soda will fizz up to help get the dirt and grime in your tub and drains. It’s a great cleaner and your septic system will thank you!

How long do septic systems last?

Septic systems can last for 15-40 years and the lifespan depends on various factors, including those mentioned above. Does your Sand Filter Septic System need servicing? Let our septic system experts help you.

What happens to poop in a septic tank?

The inlet pipe collects the water waste in the septic tank, long enough that the solid and liquid waste is separated from each other. Inside the tank bacteria from the wastewater breaks down the solid waste. These bacteria decompose the solid waste rapidly allowing the liquids to separate and drain away more easily.

Can heavy rain cause septic problems?

It is common to have a septic back up after or even during a heavy rain. Significant rainfall can quickly flood the ground around the soil absorption area (drainfield) leaving it saturated, making it impossible for water to flow out of your septic system.

How much does it cost to pump a septic tank?

How much does it cost to pump out a septic tank? The average cost is $300, but can run up to $500, depending on your location. The tank should be pumped out every three to five years.

How to Care for Your Septic System

Septic system maintenance is neither difficult or expensive, and it does not have to be done frequently. The maintenance of a vehicle is comprised of four major components:

• Inspect and pump your drainfield on a regular basis
• Conserve water
• Dispose of waste properly
• And keep your drainfield in good condition.

Inspect and Pump Frequently

Inspection of the ordinary residential septic system should be performed by a septic service specialist at least once every three years. Household septic tanks are normally pumped every three to five years, depending on how often they are used. Alternative systems that use electrical float switches, pumps, or mechanical components should be examined more frequently, typically once a year, to ensure that they are in proper working order. Because alternative systems contain mechanical components, it is essential to have a service contract.

• The size of the household
• The total amount of wastewater produced
• The amount of solids present in wastewater
• The size of the septic tank

Service provider coming? Here is what you need to know.

When you contact a septic service provider, he or she will inspect your septic tank for leaks as well as the scum and sludge layers that have built up over time. Maintain detailed records of any maintenance work conducted on your septic system. Because of the T-shaped outlet on the side of your tank, sludge and scum will not be able to escape from the tank and travel to the drainfield region. A pumping is required when the bottom of the scum layer or the top of the sludge layer is within six inches of the bottom of the outlet, or if the top of the sludge layer is within 12 inches of the bottom of the outlet.

In the service report for your system, the service provider should mention the completion of repairs as well as the condition of the tank.

An online septic finder from the National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association (NOWRA) makes it simple to identify service specialists in your region.

Use Water Efficiently

In a normal single-family house, the average indoor water consumption is about 70 gallons per person, per day, on average. A single leaking or running toilet can waste as much as 200 gallons of water each day, depending on the situation. The septic system is responsible for disposing of all of the water that a residence sends down its pipes. The more water that is conserved in a household, the less water that enters the sewage system. A septic system that is operated efficiently will operate more efficiently and will have a lower chance of failure.

• Toilets with a high level of efficiency. The usage of toilets accounts for 25 to 30% of total home water use. Many older homes have toilets with reservoirs that hold 3.5 to 5 gallons of water, but contemporary, high-efficiency toilets consume 1.6 gallons or less of water for each flush. Changing out your old toilets for high-efficiency versions is a simple approach to lessen the amount of household water that gets into your septic system. Aerators for faucets and high-efficiency showerheads are also available. Reduce water use and the volume of water entering your septic system by using faucet aerators, high-efficiency showerheads, and shower flow restriction devices. Machines for washing clothes. Water and energy are wasted when little loads of laundry are washed on the large-load cycle of your washing machine. By selecting the appropriate load size, you may limit the amount of water wasted. If you are unable to specify a load size, only complete loads of washing should be performed. Washing machine use should be spread throughout the week if at all possible. Doing all of your household laundry in one day may appear to be a time-saving strategy
• Nevertheless, it can cause damage to your septic system by denying your septic tank adequate time to handle waste and may even cause your drainfield to overflow. Machines that have earned theENERGY STARlabel consume 35 percent less energy and 50 percent less water than ordinary ones, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Other Energy Star appliances can save you a lot of money on your energy and water bills.

Properly Dispose of Waste

Everything that goes down your drains, whether it’s flushed down the toilet, ground up in the trash disposal, or poured down the sink, shower, or bath, ends up in your septic system, which is where it belongs. What you flush down the toilet has an impact on how effectively your septic system functions.

Toilets aren’t trash cans!

Your septic system is not a garbage disposal system.

A simple rule of thumb is to never flush anything other than human waste and toilet paper down the toilet. Never flush a toilet:

• Cooking grease or oil
• Wipes that are not flushable, such as baby wipes or other wet wipes
• Photographic solutions
• Feminine hygiene items Condoms
• Medical supplies such as dental floss and disposable diapers, cigarette butts and coffee grounds, cat litter and paper towels, pharmaceuticals, and household chemicals such as gasoline and oil, insecticides, antifreeze, and paint or paint thinners

Toilet Paper Needs to Be Flushed! Check out this video, which demonstrates why the only item you should flush down your toilet are toilet paper rolls.

Think at the sink!

Your septic system is made up of a collection of living organisms that digest and treat the waste generated by your household. Pouring pollutants down your drain can kill these organisms and cause damage to your septic system as well as other things. Whether you’re at the kitchen sink, the bathtub, or the utility sink, remember the following:

• If you have a clogged drain, avoid using chemical drain openers. To prevent this from happening, use hot water or a drain snake
• Never dump cooking oil or grease down the sink or toilet. It is never a good idea to flush oil-based paints, solvents, or huge quantities of harmful cleansers down the toilet. Even latex paint waste should be kept to a bare minimum. Disposal of rubbish should be avoided or limited to a minimum. Fats, grease, and particles will be considerably reduced in your septic tank, reducing the likelihood of your drainfield being clogged.

Own a recreational vehicle (RV), boat or mobile home?

If you have ever spent any time in an RV or boat, you are undoubtedly familiar with the issue of aromas emanating from sewage holding tanks.

• The National Small Flows Clearinghouse’s Septic System Care hotline, which may be reached toll-free at 800-624-8301, has a factsheet on safe wastewater disposal for RV, boat, and mobile home owners and operators.

Maintain Your Drainfield

It is critical that you maintain the integrity of your drainfield, which is a component of your septic system that filters impurities from the liquid that emerges from your septic tank once it has been installed. Here are some things you should do to keep it in good condition:

• Parking: Do not park or drive on your drainfield at any time. Plan your tree plantings so that their roots do not grow into your drainfield or septic system. An experienced septic service provider can recommend the appropriate distance for your septic tank and surrounding landscaping, based on your specific situation. Locating Your Drainfield: Keep any roof drains, sump pumps, and other rainfall drainage systems away from the drainfield area. Excess water causes the wastewater treatment process to slow down or halt completely.

Why Maintain Your Septic System

Compared to the expense of repairing or replacing a failing system, which may range between $3,000 and $7,000 for traditional systems, regular maintenance payments of $250 to $500 every three to five years are a bargain. Alternative solutions may be much more expensive. The frequency with which each system must be pumped is determined by the number of people that reside in the home as well as the size of the system.

• Decentralized wastewater treatment has the potential to be both cost effective and economical.

Protects your property value

Septic systems that are not functional or that are in poor condition will decrease the value of your home and may expose you to a hefty legal risk.

Keeps you and your neighbors healthy

A significant concentration of nitrogen and phosphorus can be found in household wastewater, as well as disease-causing bacteria and viruses. Most of these contaminants may be removed from the environment if a septic system is well-maintained and functioning correctly. A lack of adequate treatment of waste water generated by septic systems can lead to pollution of groundwater, which can lead to the spread of illness in people and animals. If sewage is not adequately handled, it has the potential to contaminate neighboring surface waters, putting swimmers at risk of contracting a variety of infectious illnesses ranging from eye and ear infections to acute gastroenteritis and hepatitis C.

• Using decentralized wastewater treatment, the environment, public health, and water quality may all be protected.

Protects the environment

The wastewater treatment plant discharges more than four billion gallons of wastewater each day into the earth. Ground water contaminated by inadequately or untreated residential wastewater poses a threat to both drinking water and the ecosystem, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Septic systems that are not operating properly discharge bacteria, viruses, and chemicals that are harmful to surrounding waters. In the case that these pollutants are discharged into the earth, they will ultimately find their way into local habitats, where they will destroy native plants, fish, and shellfish, causing damage to local ecosystems.

• Decentralized wastewater treatment has the potential to be environmentally friendly and long-lasting.

7 Tips to Take Care of Your Septic System

Every editorial product is chosen on its own merits, while we may be compensated or earn an affiliate commission if you purchase something after clicking on one of our affiliate links.

As of the time of writing, the ratings and pricing are correct, and all goods are in stock.

Maintaining a home’s septic system may seem like a daunting and stinky task, but it’s really not. Being mindful of what you’re doing inside the home will keep the system healthy.

Preventing and treating problems with your septic system is not difficult and does not have to be expensive. Failure to maintain your septic system, on the other hand, might result in significant financial loss, since digging up and rebuilding a septic system can cost tens of thousands of dollars.

What Is a Septic System?

Because it handles all of the wastewater that comes from your home, including the water from the bathrooms, kitchen, and laundry room, if your home is not connected to a municipal water and sewer system, your septic system is essential. Septic systems are generally comprised of a tank, into which wastewater is channeled for treatment and the particles are separated from the liquid. Microorganisms break down the organic stuff in wastewater, allowing it to be recycled. A perforated pipe system transports wastewater from there to a drain or leach field, which collects the effluent.

Get Familiar With Your Septic System

Understanding how your septic tank works, what sort of system it is, and where it is placed are all important first steps in proper maintenance. The county or town should keep a record of the permit, as well as a chart showing the tank’s layout and placement, because state rules demand a permit for septic system installation. Visual clues, such as sewage covers, or the direction in which the sewer pipe, which is located in the basement, runs out of the home, may be able to assist you in your search.

Have It Pumped Routinely

Every three to five years, the ordinary residential septic system should be pumped (that is, the sediments should be removed). According on the size of the tank, the typical price of pumping a residential septic tank is between $300 and $600. When you contact a septic service company, they will also inspect your septic tank for leaks and evaluate the sludge layers in your tank for any problems. Remember to save a copy of any maintenance paperwork pertaining to work performed on your septic tank.

Spread Your Washing Machine/Dishwasher Usage Throughout the Week

You may believe that scheduling a “laundry day,” during which you wash all of your clothing and possibly even run your dishwasher, would save you time. However, it puts a great deal of strain on your septic system. If you don’t allow your septic system enough time to process the wastewater, you risk overloading the system and flooding your drainfield with wastewater. Replace this with doing a full load of laundry (to ensure that you are not wasting water) a couple of times a week.

Don’t Treat Your Toilet Like a Trash Can

The only item that should be flushed down the toilet that does not come out of your body is toilet paper. Everything else should be discarded. This implies that there will be no tissues, diapers, feminine items, hair, dental floss, or anything else. Toilet paper is supposed to decompose in the septic tank after it has been used. Any additional materials are not permitted; they will clog and cause harm to your septic tank.

Make sure you use toilet paper that is safe for use with your septic system. Some of the luxurious, pricey ones that include lotions and additional plys may clog your system or introduce unwelcome substances into it.

Think About What You Dump Down the Kitchen Sink Drain

We flush a variety of items down the kitchen sink that might cause serious damage to a septic system. Never flush objects down the sink drain, including coffee grounds, eggshells, medicine, produce stickers, flour, and other such items. All of these things can clog pipes and cause screens to get obstructed. Do not dispose of any oil, including cooking oils and paint, grease, and fat since these substances will block your sewer line and cause it to back up into your home. Even dairy products such as milk, cream, and butter are harmful if they are flushed down the toilet.

When you use a garbage disposal in conjunction with a septic tank, the ground-up food particles contribute to the layer of solids that accumulates at the bottom of the tank’s bottom.

Be Careful With Cleaning Chemicals

Cleaning agents that homeowners use can be harmful to the beneficial microorganisms in their septic systems. When washing textiles, avoid using harsh chemicals such as bleach. If you absolutely must, use only a little quantity of the product. Use of drain cleaners is discouraged since, in addition to destroying beneficial bacteria, they can cause harm to the tank itself. Alternatively, if a plunger does not work, a toilet drain snake, which is also effective on clogged kitchen and bathroom sinks, may be used.

Quaternary ammonia is also present in antibacterial soaps and disinfectants, which should be avoided.

Protect Your Drainfield

As previously said, proper management of your drainfield begins with careful monitoring of water consumption and the materials that enter your septic system. Never drive or park a vehicle on top of your drainage system. Make certain that gutters and sump pumps discharge water far enough away from the drainfield to prevent flooding. Avoid growing trees and bushes in close proximity to the drainfield since the roots of these plants might interfere with the pipes.

8 Essential Tasks to Do Regularly for Septic Tank Maintenance

In the United States, more than 20% of homes do not utilize a municipal wastewater system, instead choosing for an individual septic system or a small community cluster system to treat their waste water, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Recognizing that, if you own or operate a septic system, it is critical that you understand how septic systems operate and are familiar with the maintenance chores you can perform to assist extend the life of your system by preventing leaks and clogging.

The two components are connected by a network of pipes that go from a home’s wastewater drainage line through the tank and out to the leach field.

It is critical to stay on top of these vital maintenance duties to ensure that your septic system remains healthy and operating for the longest period of time feasible.

What Is a Leach Field?

Solid waste from wastewater travels into the septic tank, where it is separated from the liquid waste. The liquid waste then runs through an output baffle and into a series of perforated pipes, which enable the liquid to gradually seep into the ground and be naturally filtered by the soil. A leach field, also known as a drainfield, is comprised of a network of perforated pipes as well as the surrounding region where the liquid waste is discharged into the environment.

Pump the Septic Tank Regularly

Having your septic tank pumped is one of the most crucial activities that you will need to schedule around once every two to five years, depending on how large your home is. In order for you to know whether you need to have your septic system pumped once every two years or once every five years, you must first determine the size of your tank, the number of people who live in the home, and the sort of waste that is deposited into it. While having a trash disposal in your house is convenient when you are linked to a municipal wastewater system, these appliances may considerably increase the volume of solid waste that flows into a septic system, increasing the frequency with which it must be pumped.

Inspect the System for Leaks

Taking a stroll around the septic system on a regular basis can help you notice any locations where the grass is notably more lush or dense than in other parts of the yard. Plant life benefits greatly from a leaky tank, which also has the additional benefit of emitting strong sewage odours. It will, however, be impossible to detect any leaks in the tank while it is still being utilized in the majority of situations because the tank is buried underground. During the pumping process, it is most efficient to check for leaking septic tanks.

It’s also a good idea to check the baffles at this stage to make sure that they aren’t missing, broken, or otherwise damaged.

What Are Baffles?

Baffles are used to restrict and divert the flow of incoming and exiting wastewater within a septic tank’s internal chamber. They keep scum from blocking the inlet and output pipes by removing it from the system. Damaged or missing baffles in a septic tank increase the likelihood of backups and clogging in the tank.

Clearly Mark off and Maintain the Leach Field

Because the leach field is such a delicate component of your septic system, it must be kept safeguarded at all times. Several perforated pipes run the length of the leach field, and while this area is safe to walk on, the weight of automobiles, trailers, and semi-permanent buildings can cause harm to the subterranean pipes. It’s critical to clearly delineate the leach field and notify any guests that this region of the yard is not designed to hold high loads in order to avoid any harm to the septic system in the future.

Water from the residence should be directed away from the leach field in order to avoid flooding the area, and any trees, bushes, or shrubs should be removed in order to prevent the roots from growing into the pipelines.

Grass, on the other hand, may and should be planted on the leach field because it absorbs water to avoid floods, the roots of which do not grow too deeply, and the grass aids in the prevention of erosion.

Limit Water Usage and Household Waste

Keeping your septic system in good working order is as simple as paying attention to the volume and composition of the materials you flush down the toilet. Because an overabundance of liquid waste might cause the septic system to overflow, it’s a good idea to redirect roof water away from the leach field, install water-saving appliances, spread out laundry and dishwasher loads, and repair any leaks as soon as they occur. In addition, a high volume of solid waste is detrimental, since it causes the sludge in the septic tank to accumulate fast, increasing the frequency with which the system must be pumped.

Keep in mind that a septic system relies on bacteria to break down waste, thus pouring powerful cleaning chemicals down the drain might hurt the bacteria, limiting the performance of the septic system and causing it to fail.

Use a Bacteria Additive

The trash that is generated in the home does not simply sit in the septic tank and gather until it is time to have the tank drained. By weight, it filters the waste, enabling the particles to settle to the bottom of the tank and the liquid waste to be discharged to the leach field, where it can be filtered by the soil. The waste that remains in the tank is progressively broken down by bacteria, which helps to maintain the health and functionality of the septic system. Strong cleaning solutions, antibacterial soaps, and drain cleaners can all harm the bacteria in your system, so in order to protect the naturally occurring bacteria in your septic system, you can introduce new bacteria that break down unnatural substances like detergents and soaps through the use of certain organic additives—just make sure you do your research to ensure that these additives are truly beneficial.

Install an Effluent Filter

It’s a good idea to have an effluent filter installed the next time your septic tank is drained in order to assist extend the life of the leach field and prevent obstructions that might cause floods or septic backups in the future. As a result, particles are kept out of the leach field dispersal system by installing this filter on the outflow of the septic tank and grease trap, which acts as an effective barrier. Once installed, the effluent filter will continue to work for about three to five years before it will require cleaning.

If you have an older septic tank that isn’t compatible with a typical effluent filter, you may retrofit it with an effluent filter that is designed specifically for that tank.

Simply ask your technician the next time he or she comes to pump out your septic tank to find out which filter is the greatest fit for your system.

Check the Leach Field for Clogs

Even if you limit the amount of water and solid waste that enters the residence and perform regular inspections and pumping of the septic tank, the leach field might get clogged at some point. In particular, during periods of wet and rainy weather, additional water can overwhelm the system, increasing the quantity of solid waste that travels through and onto the leach field. The melting of a considerable quantity of snow over a period of many days might result in flooding. It is recommended to stroll across the leach field during rainy or wet weather to check for sewage smells or unusually fast and lush growing grass, which could signal that the drain field is plugged.

Keep Accurate Maintenance Records

It is critical to keep accurate records of any system maintenance that is conducted, regardless of the type of maintenance that is performed. It is possible to use this information to help you determine the amount and frequency with which you should add bacteria additions to your system. Any inspection results that are inconsistent with the standard expectations for your system based on past data can also be used to identify potential problems before they become too difficult to manage. One further strong reason to keep clear, concise, and complete maintenance records is to ensure that you have them available for any prospective purchasers if you ever decide to sell your house.

Why You Need to Maintain Your Septic Tank

If you have a septic tank, it’s likely that you’re already familiar with the “shoulds.” At the absolute least, you should pump your septic tank once every three years. Once every five years, you should have your whole septic system inspected by a professional. Even if you know these “shoulds” off by heart, it’s possible that you don’t understand why they are so vital. Septic tank maintenance isn’t just something you should do; it’s something you must do. It’s something you should be interested in doing.

Think about the following benefits of getting your septic tank serviced the next time you’re thinking about doing so:

Save Money

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, normal septic tank repair prices approximate $250-500 every three to five years. The cost of fixing or replacing a faulty septic system, on the other hand, may range from $300 to $7,000 per system! That expense does not even take into account the potential harm that a failing septic tank might cause to surrounding property. The collapse of your septic tank might cause significant harm to your house and surrounding land. The process of just accessing your septic tank to repair or replace it includes digging up your yard.

Pumping and other types of maintenance are required on a regular basis for all septic systems.

Even before a complete collapse occurs, this inefficiency might result in additional plumbing difficulties and financial losses. Septic system maintenance may be expensive in the short term, but it will save you a lot of money in the long term.

Stay Healthy

Your septic system is critical to maintaining the cleanliness of your house and drinking water. It takes care of all of the wastewater you generate on a daily basis and disposes of it safely. Wastewater has a high concentration of toxins and chemicals that can be hazardous to your health. These toxins are removed from your wastewater by the septic tank before it is discharged back into the environment through the drainfield. The capacity of your septic system to reliably control impurities will be compromised if it is not properly maintained.

If your septic tank becomes clogged with sludge, untreated sewage water may begin to seep back into your home through your drains.

If the sewage treatment system fails to function effectively, the toxins contained inside it might seep into the surrounding groundwater.

Preserve Your Lawn

We’ve already discussed how fixing a septic system necessitates the excavation of your grass. Unfortunately, it isn’t the only way that a malfunctioning septic system may cause damage to your landscape. Whenever a septic tank fails, one of the most typical problems that occurs is a flood in the drainfield. If any of the components of the system are not level, the wastewater will not be distributed evenly to all of the drainfield’s sections. Depending on the circumstances, your septic system may “overload” a portion of the drainfield.

It is possible that the soil may get too saturated and will be unable to “retain” all of the effluent.

Due to the nature of septic system failure, wet areas on your lawn or excessively green grass are classic early symptoms of system failure.

Protect the Environment

Keep in mind that septic systems that are not working properly discharge untreated sewage into the land and groundwater surrounding them. This filth has an impact on more than just you. Groundwater contamination by germs and chemicals in sewage poses a threat to the entire community when they reach the surface water. Groundwater never stays in the earth; instead, it seeps into streams, rivers, lakes, and reservoirs, where it becomes contaminated. When contaminants enter groundwater, they almost always find their way into other bodies of water as well.

• Unfortunately, groundwater contamination may have an impact on your drinking water as well.
• Groundwater that has been contaminated by hazardous bacteria can swiftly infiltrate into these sources of drinking water and infect them with harmful germs.
• The majority of ecosystems are so influenced by groundwater contamination that it is difficult to predict the entire extent of the harm it causes.
• It’s an awful piece of news.
• Maintaining its cleanliness and functionality is in your best interests, as well as the interests of your pocketbook, family, and whole community.
• It’s as simple as dialing the Pink Plumber’s number if you reside in or around the greater Atlanta region.

Regardless of the size or kind of septic system, we can examine, maintain, and repair it promptly and effectively. Maintaining your septic system will keep you safe and help you save money at the same time.

Maintaining Your Septic System

The most recent update was made on February 7, 2022. It is quite simple to keep your septic system in good working order. Here are some basic measures you may take to ensure that your system is in excellent working order and that it can perform its functions properly.

PUMP YOUR TANK

In general, we recommend that you test your traditional tank every 3-5 years, depending on the number of residents in your home and the size of your septic tank. In other cases, pumping may be required more frequently, such as every 1-2 years in some cases. If the septic tank has not been pumped out in five or more years, sludge may have accumulated to the point where waste water is released before it has had enough time to treat and settle the particles in the tank. This has the potential to contaminate groundwater or obstruct drainfields.

ADD AN OUTLET FILTER TO THE SEPTIC TANK

Placed in the outflow baffle, filters are a simple and inexpensive technique to guarantee that scum and sludge do not reach the absorption area. They are also straightforward to maintain. An yearly cleaning of the filter by a septic specialist is recommended.

ADD A RISER TO YOUR BURIED MANHOLE

It will be necessary for septic specialists to pump your tank through the manhole. However, if your manhole is buried, it will take some time for them to find and expose your manhole. By installing a riser, the manhole can be reached from the ground level, making it easier for the expert to work on it and less expensive for you to install.

DON’T FLOOD YOUR SYSTEM

Septic tanks require a specific length of time to enable scum and sludge to settle before they can be used again. In the event that you force an excessive amount of water through your tank, the tank will not have enough time to do its task. Showers, laundry, and dishwashing should be spaced out so that your tank does not become overflowing with water during the day. Fix any dripping faucets or dripping toilets.

BE CAUTIOUS ABOUT WHAT YOU FLUSH DOWN YOUR DRAINS AND TOILETS

Try to keep the items you flush down the toilet to only water, human waste, and toilet paper as much as possible. If you have a waste disposal, use it only when absolutely necessary. Grease, feminine products, cigarettes, baby wipes, chemicals, and expired or unused medicine should not be flushed through your system. Products that claim to be flushable or biodegradable do not applicable to septic systems since they are not flushable or biodegradable. Saving money on septic system additives is another way to save money because they are not required for the proper functioning and efficiency of your system.

INSPECT YOUR SYSTEM FOR SIGNS OF TROUBLE

Look for the following things as you go around your property: Wet spots or standing water over the drainfield

• Sludge particles may have blocked the drainfield, and tree roots or damaged pipes may have prevented the waste water from spreading across the whole drainfield
• Water use in the house may have surpassed the system’s intended capacity. This occurs when waste water does not pass through the soil as it should and instead comes to the surface, posing a major health hazard and causing odor problems.

Toilets that are running slowly or backing up are a problem.

• In the worst-case scenario, sewage can overflow into the basement. obstructed sewage lines to the tank, a plugged inlet or exit pipe, a full septic tank, and/or a failing drainfield are all causes of this problem.

In the home, above the tank and drainfield, or escaping from the vent pipe, sewage scents can be detected.

• The absence of scents indicates that the system is functioning properly. A strong stench may indicate that the system is malfunctioning and should be addressed immediately.

Resources that are beneficial

• It is FS 1105, A Guide to Septic Systems and Maintenance, that you are looking for. Guia Sobre Sistemas Sépticos y Su Mantenimiento – FS 1105
• Gua Sobre Sistemas Sépticos y Su Mantenimiento – FS 1105
• Systems of Septic Tanks and the Best Available Technologies (FS 1110) Septic Systems and Their Maintenance – Soil Facts
• Septic Systems and Their Maintenance
• Septic Records and Septic System Maintenance Instructions
• Manual for Septic System Professionals
• Household Chemicals and Your Septic System
• Manual for Septic System Professionals
• Viral Infections in Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems Bacteria and protozoa in onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems
• Septic System Additives
• Bacteria and protozoa in onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems

Septic Tank Maintenance Tips

Follow these guidelines to keep your septic tank system in good working order and save money on repairs.

• Inspections should be performed every one to two years, and cleaning (pump out) should be performed every three to five years or more regularly, depending on the tank size and number of people that use the system. It is never a good idea to flush cat litter, coffee grinds, diapers, towelettes (including the ‘flushable’ variety), cigarette butts, condoms, grease, dental floss, baby wipes, paints, thinners, pesticides, oils, pharmaceuticals, or excessive amounts of household chemicals. Understand where your system is located. You should construct a diagram or map indicating the placement of the tank in relation to permanent objects such as the corners of your home, steps, or fence posts after you have had the tank pumped. Instruct the pumper to assist you in locating the drainfield. Place it in the appropriate area on your diagram, alongside the location of your drinking water source. Keep this sketch with your septic tank records for future reference. To make it easier to discover the tank lid, place something that can be moved easily over it, like as a birdbath or ornamental rock. Maintain the drainfield’s integrity.

• Increase the height of the barrier to prevent vehicles from driving over the drainfield, which might cause the tank lid and pipes to break and compress the soil, reducing oxygen flow. (Bacteria in the drainfield require oxygen to survive.) Downspouts and other surface water – notably irrigation sprinklers – should be diverted away from the drainfield to prevent clogging. It can be harmed by too much water. Keep anything other than grass growing over the drainfield
• Do not dig or build anything over the drainfield.

• Water should be conserved. Minimize your system’s reliance on wastewater treatment and disposal. Examples of ways to do this include:

• One or two loads of clothes should be washed everyday at the most. Each load of laundry can cause up to 53 gallons of water to overflow into your septic system, so it’s better to spread washing out over the course of the week. Make repairs to leaking faucets and toilets
• Over time, they can cause hundreds of additional gallons of water to enter your septic system. When feasible, use low-flow fixtures and appliances to save water. Low-flush toilets consume between 1.1 and 1.6 gallons of water every flush, which can cut your water cost by up to one-third compared to traditional toilets. Sink faucets with low-flow aerators are available. Showerheads with low flow rates and low-flow washing machines will also help you save water.

• Do not dispose of rubbish using a garbage disposal. It can increase the amount of particles in your septic tank by up to 50%, increasing the frequency with which you must pump out your tank. Caustic drain openers should not be used to unclog clogged drains. Instead, use hot water or a drain snake to unclog the drain. Please check to be that your water softener is not hooked to wash back into your septic tank. Conserve your documents, which should include a copy of your septic tank permit. Avoid the use of septic tank additives, commercial septic tank cleaners, yeast, sugar, and other similar substances. There is no need for these goods, and some of them may be dangerous to your health. Commercial bathroom cleansers and laundry detergents should only be used in small amounts. Make use of a light detergent or baking soda to clean your toilets, sinks, showers, and bathtubs.

Important Warning

Be extra cautious when in the vicinity of open or uncovered septic tanks. Falling into a septic tank can result in death by suffocation or drowning if not treated immediately. Even leaning over a septic tank might lead you to pass out and require medical attention.

Tags

Septic Tank Alerts Septic Tank Alerts

Taking Care of Your Septic System

This system, buried deep below in your yard, is the most underappreciated and underrated asset a homeowner can own. It works tirelessly for you and your family on a daily basis, yet most people don’t give it a second thought, let alone acknowledge or appreciate everything that it accomplishes. What exactly is it? Your sewage treatment system. Normally, your septic system is relegated to the back of your mind’s attention. Is it really necessary to think about your septic system when you have so many other important things on your mind?

1. Your septic system is essential for maintaining a healthy and safe home since sewage treatment is required.
2. The good news is that septic system maintenance is quite simple and inexpensive, and it costs far less money than having your septic system fixed or replaced.
3. Please read on for more information.
4. Both must be kept in good working condition in order for your septic system to function correctly and thrive.

Inspections and Pumping

You should have your septic system tested by a septic service specialist, such as those at Myers, at least once every three years! For both commercial and residential properties, our professionals are qualified and educated to conduct comprehensive and honest septic tank inspections. Examination of all pipelines, measurement of scum and sludge levels, and evaluation of drainfield quality are all part of a comprehensive inspection of the septic tank. In the case of an alternative system with electrical float switches, pumps, or other mechanical components, your septic system should be examined at least once a year.

1. a T-shaped outlet in the septic tank restricts the exiting of waste materials from the tank and the subsequent movement of waste materials to the drainfield.
2. It’s also necessary to pump your tank out if the sludge layer reaches the top of the tank’s outlet within 12 inches of the outlet opening.
3. You will receive a service report following the completion of the inspection and pumping.
4. Notate everything that was done, as well as the sludge and scum levels that were discovered by the service expert, as well as the overall condition of your septic system.
5. Early detection and repair of your septic system will save you thousands of dollars in the long run.

Myers’s service technicians will assess the condition of your septic system and provide recommendations for any necessary repairs or replacements. We are a full-service septic system supplier, so if you have any septic system requirements, we can meet those needs as well!

Use Water Efficiently

Water efficiency is not only important for the environment, but it is also important for your septic system and your budget as well. The septic system receives and treats all of the water that a residence delivers through its pipes. Dishwashing, showering, toileting, and washing are all included in this category. As reported by the Environmental Protection Agency, “the average indoor water use in a typical single-family home is over 70 gallons per person, per day.” The greater the amount of water that enters the septic system, the faster the septic tank fills up with waste.

1. Saving water and conserving energy are two of the most straightforward and cost-effective strategies to help protect and extend the life of your septic tank.
2. A leaky faucet or a constantly running toilet is not only inconvenient, but it may also waste up to 200 gallons of water every day.
3. Not only are you squandering perfectly excellent water, but you are also filling up your septic tank more quickly, putting additional strain on your system.
4. For example, you may replace your old toilet with a more energy-efficient one.
5. Changing your toilet to a more efficient toilet is a simple approach to ensure that the integrity of your septic system is maintained.
6. Washers with the ENERGY STAR certification have been approved by the Environmental Protection Agency, and they use 35 percent less energy and 50 percent less water.
7. Make an effort to wash your clothing in the appropriate load size.
8. If you are unable to select a load size, only full loads of laundry should be washed.
9. Washing all of your laundry in one day is not recommended.
10. Some homes utilize hot tubs as an additional source of water consumption.
11. When you empty the water from a hot tub into your septic system, it might overflow the system and agitate the sediments into the drainfield, leading it to collapse ultimately.

However, rather than dumping all of that water into your septic system, you should direct the cooled water onto the turf or manicured parts of your property in accordance with local regulations.

Properly Dispose of Waste

It doesn’t matter if you flush anything down the toilet, grind it up in the trash disposal, or pour it down the shower drain; everything that goes down the drain ends up in your septic system, and I mean everything. It doesn’t matter what you flush down the toilet; everything from food scraps to grease to cat litter gets up in your septic system. Other than human waste and toilet paper, do not flush anything down the toilet, including but not limited to:

• Cleaning materials such as cooking grease or oil, nonflushable wipes, photographic solutions, feminine hygiene products, condoms, dental floss, diapers, cigarette butts, and coffee grounds Product categories include: cat litter, paper towels, pharmaceuticals and medications, and more. Chemicals often found in the home, such as fuel, oil, insecticides, antifreeze, paint, and paint thinners

Your septic system is made up of a collection of living organisms that digest and treat the waste generated by your household. These organisms are necessary for the proper functioning of the septic system; however, pouring chemicals or other materials down the drain may kill these organisms and cause your septic system to malfunction and fail. Your sludge and scum levels will rise, requiring you to have your septic tank drained on a more frequent basis. Chemicals that are harsh can also corrode the pipes that lead to the septic tank, resulting in leaks.

Disposal of rubbish should be avoided or limited to a minimum.

Food waste should be disposed of appropriately rather than through the garbage disposal.

Maintain Your Drain Field

Your drain field is a critical component of your septic system’s overall performance. The septic tank is responsible for separating sludge and scum from treated water. The treated water drains into the drain field, where it eliminates impurities from the liquid that emerges from your septic tank and flushes it down the toilet. The wastewater from your tank is discharged onto your drain field, where it trickles via a series of perforated pipes, past a layer of gravel, and down into the soil until it reaches the groundwater.

• Increased particles in the septic tank might block the pipes in the drain field, preventing water from draining from the system properly.
• Parking on your drain field is prohibited, as is the use of heavy equipment or machinery on your drain field.
• Planting trees away from your drain field will prevent roots from creeping into your septic system and causing damage.
• Drain fields are best covered with grass, which is the most appropriate type of cover.

Inspect and ensure that your roof drains, sump pumps, and other rainfall drainage devices are diverting rainwater away from the drain field. Excess water can cause the wastewater treatment process to slow down or stop completely, as well as overflow the drain field.

Why It’s Important to Take Care of Your Septic System

There are a variety of reasons why maintaining your septic system is crucial. When a septic system fails, improperly treated waste can seep into the groundwater, contaminating nearby wells, streams, lakes, and ponds, among other things. Family, friends, neighbors, and other members of the community are thus exposed to toxins and the risk of contracting waterborne illnesses such as dysentery, hepatitis, and typhoid fever, which are caused by bacteria and viruses originating from human waste. Waterborne nitrates and phosphates in home wastewater can create excessive algae development in lakes and streams, causing aquatic life to become disrupted and producing aesthetic concerns for your town.

• If your community’s septic system is not properly maintained, it may suffer a loss in tourism revenue.
• In addition, repairing or replacing a septic system is quite expensive.
• You may save thousands of dollars in the long run by investing a little amount of money upfront to have your septic system tested and pumped.
• It is possible that building permits may not be obtained for certain properties, resulting in a decrease in the total value of your property and the surrounding neighborhood.
• Every year, you should get it examined to ensure that it is in proper working order.
• Your septic system should be handled in the same manner as your plumbing system.
• It will save you a significant amount of money while also ensuring the safety of your family and the environment.
• Our service technicians will make certain that your septic system is well-maintained and will endure for many years in the future.

Septic systems operation and maintenance overview

Here’s a quick outline of what you’ll need to do to ensure that your system operates and maintains at peak efficiency and for the longest possible life.

• In this section, you will learn about how to run and maintain your system so that it operates at peak efficiency and lasts for a long period of time.

Pump tank regularly

• Scum and sludge can accumulate in the drainfield and be swept away by the current. They will clog the drainfield, causing it to fail and necessitate the repair of the drainfield. The accumulation of scum and sludge in the tank lowers the amount of space available for wastewater storage.

How Often?

• Many experts advocate pumping a tank every 2-3 years
• However, this is dependent on the amount and quality of wastewater produced. It’s also possible to create your own pumping intervals. Immediately after having your tank pumped, you should have a septic specialist examine it on a yearly basis until the scum and sludge layers have accumulated to a point when pumping is required. This will be your pumping interval until your waste generation rates change (either because someone has left or because a garbage disposal, additional people in the home, or children reaching adolescence has been installed). Depending on how and when your waste generation rates change, you will have to adjust the pumping interval accordingly.

Have a professional inspect and pump the tank

As an informed consumer, you should insist that the expert follow Nebraska state-mandated processes, which include the following:

• Pump the tank out of the manhole with a hand pump. If you pump via the inspection ports, you run the risk of damaging the baffles or tees, and it is difficult to thoroughly empty the tank. After pumping the tank and flushing back materials under pressure to dislodge any residual scum and sludge, pump the tank one more to completely empty it. Check for cracks in the tank and ensure that baffles or tees are properly installed. Ensure that the septage (materials from the tank, including liquids, scum, and sludge) is disposed of in a safe and legal way, often at a municipal wastewater treatment facility.

Conserve water and spread usage over a period of time.

Why? The tank is constantly filled, with the exception of the time immediately following pumping.

• The tank holds one gallon of wastewater, and for every gallon that enters, one gallon of effluent exits, entering the drain field. In order for the solids to separate in the tank, roughly 24 hours of retention time must be provided. It is possible that excessive water usage over a short period of time will prevent settling from taking place. Solids may be flushed out of the tank with the effluent
• This is possible. In a tank, rapid water flow may cause a wave motion to form, scouring the bottom and resurrecting muck, which can then be flushed out of the tank with the effluent.

How?

• Spread out laundry use, washing 1-2 loads per day rather than 6 loads in one day. Use low-flow aerators on shower heads, and low volume flush toilets (approximately 1.5 gallons per flush as opposed to older styles which used 6 to 7 gallons per flush)
• Repair leaks
• Take short showers
• s Turn off faucets while shaving, brushing teeth, etc
• Make sure to use appropriate load and water level setting (low, med, high) on the washing machine

Manage Solids

• Solids in wastewater are referred to as scum or sludge. As a result, increased solids in the wastewater result in more frequent pumping owing to the accumulation of scum and sludge.

How?

• If you have a waste disposal, use it only when absolutely necessary. The usage of a garbage disposal on a regular basis creates additional solids. Depending on the circumstances, a tank may need to be pumped up to twice as often as a tank in a family that uses a trash disposal very sometimes or not at all. Instead, use compostable materials. Install an effluent filter on your septic tank with the help of a professional. It filters the effluent as it exits the tank, collecting suspended particulates in the process. The effluent filter is less expensive and less difficult to maintain than a blocked drainfield. Grease and oil should not be flushed down the toilet. It has the potential to block the pipes and cause scum development. Throw away cigarette butts, face tissue, diapers, paper toweling, and feminine items in the garbage together with other solid waste. Install a lint filter in the washing machine to keep the machine clean. Consider the fact that lint is removed from your clothing in the washer in the same way that it is removed from your clothes in the dryer. Lint may accumulate in the septic tank and produce scum or sludge, or it may remain floating in the tank and flow out with the effluent to the drain field. When at all possible, use liquid detergents. Powdered materials include additives that solidify as sludge. Make use of toilet tissue that decomposes quickly. Shaking your toilet paper in a covered jar filled with water will reveal its quality. After less than one minute of shaking, the paper should begin to show symptoms of collapse.

Keep Hazardous Materials Out

• Pesticides (insecticides, herbicides, fungicides), medications, paints, paint thinners, solvents, and excess cleaning products are among the items that septic systems are not designed to handle. Septic systems are also not designed to handle pesticides (insecticides, herbicides, fungicides), medication, paints, paint thinners, solvents, and excess cleaning products. As a result of slowing down or killing beneficial soil microorganisms, and/or going to the groundwater table and contaminating it, these materials may contribute to system failure.

How?

• Don’t misuse or dispose of surplus materials such as pesticides (insecticides, herbicides, fungicides), pharmaceuticals, paints, paint thinners, solvents, and cleaning goods down the drain
• Instead, recycle or compost the items. A system is capable of handling standard volumes of home cleaning agents, including antibacterial soaps, without requiring special attention. Use that is excessive may be damaging to the system. Excess quantities should be disposed of at a residential hazardous waste collection facility. It is best not to use automated toilet cleaning dispensers that include bleach. These put a continual antibacterial agent into the tank, which might interfere with the initial treatment process.

Let the system work naturally

• It is normal for good bacteria, which are required for early treatment, to be introduced into the septic tank by toilet usage and other wastewater creation
• Pumping does not eradicate beneficial bacteria from the tank. With the initial flush after pumping, more germs are reintroduced into the system.

How?

• Use of septic starters, additives, or feeders is not recommended. Some are ineffective and, as a result, are a waste of money. It’s possible that others will truly harm your system.

Avoid Drainfield Compaction

• Aerobic bacteria are an essential component of the treatment process that takes place in the soil. Pores in the earth are responsible for retaining air. Compaction will limit the porosity of the soil, and as a result, the amount of air accessible in the soil will decrease.

How?

• It is not permitted to drive or park automobiles or agricultural machinery on the drainfield. Keep dog kennels and animal confinement facilities away from drainfields
• Do not build patios, decks, driveways, garages, or any other structures over the drainfield.

Avoid Introducing Excess Water to the Drainfield

• Excess water in the drainfield will fill soil pore spaces with water that does not require treatment, taking up valuable space that could be used for oxygen and/or wastewater.

How?

• Roof drains, downspouts, and basement drainage should be diverted. Water should be tiled outside the septic system and away from the drainfield. Irrigate only when absolutely necessary in the drainfield area. Always avoid flooding the drainfield region with huge volumes of water.

Maintain structural integrity of the drainfield.

• Do not add dirt to the area except to fill in minor depressions to prevent water from accumulating
• Keep rats and burrowing animals away from your home. Establish and maintain a grassy buffer zone around the drainage field. It is not permissible to put trees on or near the drainfield. It will be harmed by the roots.

For NEW systems, maintain a replacement drainfield area.

• It is required by regulations that newly constructed systems include a reserve area for replacement in the event that the first drainfield fails
• This reserve area must be handled in the same manner as the first drainfield.