Frequent Inspections and Septic Pumping Is KEY!

The septic tank is buried underground, so it’s not exactly feasible to "check on it" whenever you want. Even if you could, most homeowners don’t want to open the lid and let that stench out. Still, routine inspections are crucial. As you know, the septic tank is limited in capacity. If the tank overloads, then you could end up dealing with a lot of, well, stink. Overloaded septic tanks can cause sewage leaks and sewage backups. Yuck!

So, what do you do about that full septic tank? First of all, you never want it to fill to the brim. We recommend homeowners schedule a septic tank pumping once every two to four years depending on the size of the tank and your household’s activity levels. We also recommend a septic tank cleaning once every other septic pumping appointment. Septic pumping quickly frees up space while septic cleaning is like deep cleaning.

Don’t Overwhelm the Septic Tank or Drain Field

We mentioned overloaded septic tanks earlier, but let’s dive deeper – metaphorically. Septic tanks fill over time, but they can also fill up suddenly if you are not careful. Use water efficiently to avoid such disasters. If you depend on a septic system, then installing a jacuzzi is probably a bad idea. Further, avoid running the dishwasher and laundry machines at the same time. Stagger water usage to avoid overwhelming the septic tank and drain field.

Be Mindful of What Goes into Your Septic Tank

Your septic system is a lot more sensitive than a centralized sewer system. So, you have to be extra mindful of what goes in the drains and toilet. Here are some things to keep in mind:

• Do NOT pour used fats, oils, and greases down the kitchen sink.
• Do NOT flush hygiene products, paper towels, wet wipes, cat litter, diapers, or cigarette butts.
• Toss food scraps in a compost bin or the trash bin instead of the kitchen sink.
• Do NOT pour bleach or chemical cleaners down the drains, because they can kill the "good bacteria" in the septic tank.

Protect Your Drain Field

Your drain field is where the wastewater goes and filters through the soil for treatment. As you can imagine, the drain field is sensitive to pressure. Compacted soil will cause problems. Therefore, do NOT park on or drive over the drain field. Similarly, do NOT plant trees or install structures on top of the drain field or near it. You should also make sure drainage does not lead water to the drain field as this can overwhelm the drain field.