Septic Maintenance Questions? Our Geneva Septic Company Gives You The Dirt

Septic systems are relatively maintenance-free if you follow a few rules. Our Geneva septic company breaks down the most common questions we get about which rules you need to follow for a worry-free septic system.

If you’re new to the world of septic systems, you may have heard how easy they are to care for. No plumbers, no flooding, no sewer bills from the city, or any of the other things that come with sewer systems. They really are pretty great. All they need is some TLC to keep running for decades. Actually, their care doesn’t need to be tender or loving, you just need to follow a few simple rules. Here, our Geneva septic company answers our most frequently asked questions about septic maintenance.

I’ve heard you can’t flush anything …is that true?

Pretty much. Realistically, you can flush water and human waste but everything else needs to be disposed of in the trash. The way a septic system works is by naturally-occurring bacteria breaking down the waste so it can flow into your drain field. Eventually, the wastewater percolates through the ground and is dispersed as groundwater.

When you flush items that are not biodegradable, they will clog your system. Clogs have to be fished out. Not too pleasant, but that’s what we do. Acme is the top Geneva septic company because we don’t mind unclogging your septic tank, no matter what was “accidentally” flushed. We’ve all had toddlers in their flushing phases.

How often do I need to have my septic system cleaned? Or is it pumped?

Cleaning and pumping are essentially the same thing. When we pump out the contents of your septic tank, it is then clean. Well not clean clean, but septic tank clean. Empty. Ready to be filled up again. How often you get your septic tank pumped/cleaned depends on two things:

• How big your tank is
• How much water you use

If your tank is big and you don’t use very much water, you can get by with a less frequent cleaning schedule. If you have a full house, you’ll need to stay on a more frequent cleaning schedule. We can help you determine how often to have your tank cleaned.

What can I plant on my drain field?

Unfortunately, the answer is nothing. It’s tempting to plant trees, bushes, or flowers on the lush area above your drain field but you need to leave that area alone. The reason is that if you ever need repair or replacement of your drain field, that planted vegetation will get in the way. The roots can also damage your pipes.

Similarly, you should never build on top of a drain field. Building or driving on your drain field could damage your pipe system since they’re typically made from materials that are not designed to withstand very much weight.

If I follow the rules, how long will my septic system last?

The lifespan of a septic system depends on several factors:

• The material it is made of
• The design
• The installation details
• The service and exposure conditions
• The maintenance of the system
• And other factors

Concrete and heavy plastic septic tanks can last 50 years or more. If you have a septic system with a pump, that pump may need to be replaced every 10-20 years. Your drain field will last upwards of 30 years but eventually, the biomaterial that forms in the bottom of the pipes will reduce the effectiveness of discharging wastewater to the ground. The bottom line is if your septic system is over 25 years old, start talking with a Geneva septic company about plans to replace it.

If you still have questions, the septic system technicians at Acme would love to answer them. Our team looks forward to helping you keep your septic system running smoothly for years to come. Contact us today.