Maintenance for Septic Systems: A Homeowner's Guide

Published
01/23/2023

Homeowners living in cities and suburbs with municipal wastewater collection rarely think about what happens after they flush the toilet or send water flowing down the drain. Those living in rural areas don't have the luxury of allowing someone else to worry about their sewage. Septic systems offer an excellent solution for safely and effectively disposing of wastewater, but they require proper maintenance. It's each homeowner's job to make sure the septic system stays in good working order.

How Septic Systems Work

To understand the ins and outs of septic system maintenance, homeowners must have an idea of how they work. Thankfully, the concept is relatively simple. Each system features a septic tank that breaks down the waste and allows excess water to enter a nearby drainage field via perforated pipes. From there, it can percolate safely into the soil in small amounts for adequate filtration before it reenters the water table.

Professional Septic Tank Maintenance

The first key to effective septic system maintenance is working with an industry expert to determine and follow a regular inspection and tank pumping schedule. In most cases, this needs to be done every three to five years, but maintenance professionals also take some other factors into account when determining a pumping schedule. They include:

  • How many people live in the house
  • How much wastewater they generate
  • The level of solids in the wastewater
  • The size of the septic tank

It's up to the technician who pumps the septic tank to determine how often the excess waste must be removed. During the inspection, this expert will also check for defects and recommend repairs.

Maintenance Tips for Daily Use

Homeowners and their families can also do a lot to ensure the proper functioning and overall longevity of septic systems. To avoid damage that could lead to premature system failure follow these simple tips.

  1. Dispose of Waste Properly

Remember that everything flushed down the drain will wind up in the septic tank, so be careful what gets introduced to sinks, toilets, and showers. Ideally, only biodegradable products should be introduced into septic tanks to avoid disrupting the community of microbes responsible for breaking down waste. 

  1. Use Water Efficiently

Using too much water places a septic system under unnecessary strain, so try to save water whenever possible. Try installing low-flow faucets and running dishwashers only when they are full. It's also wise to spread out activities that use a lot of water at once throughout the week.

  1. Protect the Leach Field

To avoid damaging the septic system's drain field, be sure not to drive or park over the area and avoid overwatering the site. Any sump pumps, roof drains, or rainwater systems on the property should be routed away from the leach field.

  1. Consider a Bacteria Additive

Septic tanks don't need additives to function as intended. They use natural bacteria to break down waste. However, there are additives available that can promote bacterial growth, which can be helpful in cases where someone has introduced harsh household chemicals or large amounts of bleach into the tank.

Avoid Premature Failures With Septic System Maintenance

Providing a septic system with adequate maintenance is the only way to ensure it will last as long as possible. Homeowners who haven't been staying on top of maintenance should exercise extra vigilance when looking for problems such as slow drainage, foul odors, and standing water. If these issues arise, call to schedule an inspection and pump out the septic system immediately.