Effective Ways You Can Maintain Your Property’s Septic System

What is a septic tank?

A septic tank is a container that is found underground and its purpose is to catch any solids and scum that build up in your wastewater. This allows the water to flow out into a drainage field while the solids decompose. With proper maintenance, septic tanks can last up to an impressive 30 years. So it is worth investing your time into proper maintenance methods.

1. Carry Out Regular Inspections

If you carry out regular inspections on your septic tank you will be able to spot any problems early on, making it easier to repair and much cheaper. To make your life easier when it comes to inspecting the tank, you should do research on septic tank risers to make sure you get one that is sturdy and going to last. These are usually made out of plastic, fiberglass or concrete. If you rarely check the state of your tank you could be in a big spot of trouble if it suddenly stops working. So make sure you are checking out the tank itself, any components, the drain field, and the ground around the tank. Something as simple as this can save you huge amounts of money. Plus, you don’t have to do this too frequently, just every couple of months will do!

2. Use An Energy Efficient Toilet

In a typical household, 25% to 30% of all water use is accounted for by the toilet. If you have a relatively old toilet, chances are it’s as efficient as it could be. Older models use reservoirs that can use from 3.5 to 5 gallons of water per flush. Whereas newer models use around 1.6 gallons per flush, and so opting for a new toilet can save over 50% of water compared to the older models. If you are wondering what the relevance of your toilet with your septic system is, reducing the amount of water that your toilet uses will put less of a strain on your septic system, keeping it running for longer.

Additionally, if you have more time and money then you could work towards making your home more energy efficient as a whole. While it may be a bit costly initially, it is a worthy investment as you will save on your energy bills.

3. Be Mindful Of What You Put Down The Drain / Toilet

One of the most effective ways to maintain your property’s septic system is to be mindful of what you pour down the drain and what you flush down the toilet. Using your drains and toilet as a garbage disposal is a huge mistake because certain things can either upset the pH balance, prevent the breakdown of solids and can cause blockages. Here is a list of things that you should not pour down your sinks or flush down your toilet.

• Grease

• Fats

• Oils

• Wet wipes

• Paper towels

• Sanitary products

• Chemicals

Often people blindly put these things down the drain/toilet without even knowing the potential impact and danger they can create. By making sure that these elements do not end up in your septic tank will help to prevent damages and will maintain the smooth running of the system.

4. Minimize Heavy-Duty Cleaners

Inside your septic tank live tiny microorganisms that gradually pick away at the solid waste that comes through your septic system. If you use heavy-duty drain cleaners, the aggressive chemicals will kill the microorganisms. So while on paper it might seem like a great idea to unblock drains with these cleaners, it can actually be quite counter-productive as you risk the solid waste damaging the septic tank as there is nothing to break them down. So when you do buy drain cleaners check out what chemicals are inside them. Alternatively, you can use home remedies that use baking soda and vinegar.

5. Divert Rainwater From the Septic Drain Field

Water saturation around the drain field can be extremely damaging to your septic tank. If you live somewhere where it rains a lot then you need to find a way to divert rainwater away from the drain field. Preventative measures typically include using the landscape and gutters arranged in a way that diverts rainwater away from the drain. Also, make sure the gutters on your roof are not directing towards the drain field as this can make the soil around the drain field soggy.

6. Keep Trees Away from the Septic System

If there is one thing you remember from this article it is to make sure you keep trees away from your septic system. The roots in trees can puncture pipes or the septic tank which would cause a big and expensive issue. Ideally, you want to make sure trees are at least 100 feet away from where the septic system is located. This distance should be even greater if trees such as Willows are in the question as they have aggressive roots.

7. Pump Your Tank

You ought to make sure your tank is getting pumped every 3 to 5 years so it can keep working to its optimal potential. If you think that your tank fills up quickly then you may want to check in with a specialist in case you need to pump your tank more frequently. The reason why you need to do this is simple, the less waste in the take, the more efficiency it will run and the less likely it will get damaged. So it is better to air on the side of caution and make sure you pump your tank when the time comes.

Do yourself a favor and use these 7 effective ways to easily maintain your property’s septic system. You’ll be able to rest assured that you can catch out any problems early on and prevent them from turning into big issues for you, your wallet, and your home