Septic system replacement is costly, so practice maintenance
to prolong the system's life. Proper maintenance of your septic system protects
the health of those who live in and near your home, preserves the quality of
the groundwater, and prevents your sewage from polluting nearby waterways.
Discover some of the best practices for septic maintenance.
Do Regularly Inspect and Maintain Your Septic System
Routine maintenance of your septic system prevents
pollution, illnesses, and the risk of failure. An inspection also determines
the pumping routine of your tank. Inspections also save you money because you
can fix small problems before they escalate into larger problems, which can be
costly.
The type of septic system will often determine the
inspection routine. Many people inspect gravity systems every couple of years,
whereas people inspect pressure distribution, sand filter, and proprietary
septic systems after one year.
Do Pump Your System
Septic tanks need pumping every 3-5 years. The ideal time
for pumping your septic tank will vary depending on your household. The more
people use your septic system, the higher your water flow. As a result, you'll have
to pump your tank more often because it will get full faster.
A septic tank expert will note the ideal time for pumping
your system during a maintenance inspection. The inspector measures the sludge
and scum layer in your tank to determine when you should pump it. You should
pump the septic tank when the sludge and scum layers are within a certain
distance of the outlet baffle or outlet fitting.
Don't Use Chemical Additives
Bacteria in wastewater help decompose the waste. Although
you can use household detergents, bleaches, and drain cleaners, you probably
shouldn't use them excessively. Some additives harm the septic system's
operation.
A septic tank should collect solids. If you flush solids by
adding chemicals, these solids will often affect the soil. As a result, you'll
often have to replace the soil treatment component of the system. Since
replacing the soil treatment of your septic tank is expensive, avoid using
chemical additives.
Don't Construct or Move Over the Drainfield
You shouldn't construct driveways, storage buildings, or any
structures over the wastewater treatment system. These structures will make it
difficult to access the system during maintenance inspections. They also
minimize the evaporation of water from the soil.
Also, when no structures are near the septic system, you'll
be able to minimize movement over the drainfield. Driving heavy equipment over
the wastewater system can easily crush its components. These components provide
support to the soil above the system and not equipment driving on top of it.
Don't Discharge Excessive Water Into the System
The load capacity of your septic tank will vary depending on
the size of your household. A rule of thumb is to minimize the water draining
into the system. This improves the efficiency of your septic tank.
Excess water stirs up the waste particles and delays the
bacteria's role of breaking them down. These particles move into the drainfield
and saturate the bacteria with wastewater. This clogs the drainfield and
suffocates the anaerobic bacteria.
To avoid discharging excessive water into the septic system,
have your septic expert redirect the rain gutter pathway. Another way of
reducing the discharge of water into your system is by saving water. You can do
this by minimizing your water consumption habits.
To get the most out of your septic tank,
familiarize yourself with the do's and don'ts of septic maintenance. With years
of experience in septic tank maintenance and repairs, Pete's Outflow
Technicians can help with your septic tank services.
Contact us
today if you have
any questions or concerns about your septic tank.
