Essential Maintenance for Your Septic System

24 June 2020
 Categories: Home & Garden, Blog


The last event any homeowner wants is for their septic system to back up. When that happens, you can have sewage backup in your toilets and drains as well as a swampy mess in your yard above the septic tank. If the backup means you have to replace the septic tank, you're facing a hefty replacement bill. Therefore, you're better off keeping your system well maintained. Bellow are some essential maintenance tasks that will keep your septic system in good working order.

Schedule a Septic Tank Inspection

You should have your septic tank inspected regularly — InterNACHI recommends yearly inspections. The inspector will monitor the sludge level of the tank. They'll also ensure that no liquid waste has risen to the ground level. They'll also check the general state of the tank, drain lines, and other attendant elements of the system.

Have Your System Pumped Regularly

Some other information inspectors might impart is how often you need to have your septic tank pumped. The function of the tank is to let waste solids sink to the bottom before sending wastewater out through a filter. The sludge of waste solids accumulates at the bottom and will be the eventual cause of a backup. So, you must have the tank pumped out regularly.

Clean the Effluent Filter

As noted, water from the tank passes through a filter — an effluent filter, to be exact. Its purpose is to prevent solids from entering the drainfield. Septic technicians should clean or replace this filter every time they service your system. If it's missing, have them install a filter.

Maintain Your Drainfield

Once water passes through the effluent filter, the cleaned water enters a drainfield. Bacteria further filter the wastewater before it enters back into the groundwater. Keep your drainfield clear of everything, including parked cars. What's more, don't plant any large plants near your drainfield. It's near the septic tank, and you don't want roots to touch the tank.

Add Live Organic Bacteria to the Tank

Your septic system needs functioning bacteria to help filter the water. Household chemicals, such as detergents and soaps, naturally make their way into the septic system. They can kill the needed bacteria. So, you should add live organic bacteria, which will break down those household chemicals. Their addition also helps keep your pipes clean and free of odors.

Use Water Efficiently

The septic system needs an adequate flow of water to function properly. Unfortunately, household water usage can cut down on what's available for the septic system. Use your household water efficiently by having high-efficiency appliances installed. High-efficiency faucet aerators and showerheads are another good investment to that end.

Practice good septic system maintenance to keep it running smoothly. Practicing regular septic tank maintenance can help limit any problems you might encounter.


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