Tips for Caring for Your Septic System
Here are tips to help you use and care for your septic system to keep it working its best.
- Learn the location of your septic tank and drainfield. Keep a sketch of it handy with your maintenance record for service visits.
- Have your septic system inspected annually
- Have your septic tank pumped out by a licensed contractor, approximately every three to five years, or as often as is appropriate for your system.
- Keep your septic tank cover accessible for inspections and pumping. Install risers if necessary.
- Call a professional whenever you experience problems with your system, or if there are any signs of system failure.
- Keep a detailed record of repairs, pumping, inspections, permits issued, and other maintenance activities.
- Conserve water to avoid overloading the system. Be sure to repair any leaky faucets or toilets.
- Divert other sources of water, like roof drains, house footing drains, and sump pumps, away from the septic system. Excessive water keeps the soil in the drainfield from naturally cleansing the wastewater.
Things NOT to do when you have a septic system:
- Don't go down into a septic tank. Toxic gases are produced by the natural treatment processes in septic tanks and can kill in minutes. Use extreme care when inspecting a septic tank, even when just looking in.
- Don't drive or park over any part of the system.
- Don't plant anything over or near the drainfield expect grass. Roots from nearby trees or shrubs may clog and damage the drain lines.
- Don't dig in your drainfield or build anything over it, and don’t cover the drainfield with a hard surface such as concrete or asphalt. The area over the drainfield should have only a grass cover. The grass will not only prevent erosion, but will help remove excess water.
- Don't make or allow repairs to your septic system without obtaining the required health department permit. Use professional licensed onsite contractors when needed.
- Avoid septic tank additives. Under normal operating conditions,these products usually do not help and some may even be harmful to your system.
- Don't use your toilet as a trash can or poison your septic system and the groundwater by pouring harmful chemicals and cleansers down the drain. Harsh chemicals can kill the beneficial bacteria that treat your wastewater.
- Don't use a garbage disposal without checking with your local regulatory agency to make sure that your septic system can accommodate this additional waste.
- If you have a water softener, don't let backwash from the softener to enter.
