Having a septic system can seem like a lot of work. We’re sharing the dos and don’ts of maintaining your septic tank drain field below.
The Dos:
- Inspect your septic tank regularly! What a lot of people don’t know is that your septic tank needs as much attention as your yard. Routine maintenance can only lengthen the lifespan of your system and strengthen its abilities to function properly.
- Inspect your septic tank drain field regularly! With just your eyes and your nose, you can determine whether your drain field is in good health. Oftentimes, when there’s a problem beneath the surface, your drain field will show symptoms that include pooling water, pungent odor, discoloration of grass, etc. It’s important to take pride in your system and care for it as you would your yard.
- Pump your septic tank every couple of years. The general rule of thumb depends on the number of people living in your household. This determines how much water is used on a day-to-day basis and how much quicker your septic tank will take to fill up. If you don’t remember the last time your septic system was pumped, consider this a friendly reminder to contact us so that we can determine if it’s necessary.
- Be cognizant of your water usage. This is a PSA for anyone who doesn’t use water sparingly. Using less water can increase the lifespan of your system and help your septic tank drain field from overflowing. It’s also a good idea to direct any water from land and roof drains away from the drain field to prevent it from malfunctioning.
The Don’ts:
- Try not to flush anything down the toilet except for toilet paper. The more miscellaneous items you flush down your toilet, the more likely your septic tank is from getting clogged. You’ll want to avoid this problem at all costs because it could result in some expensive repairs in the long run.
- Don’t pour household chemicals down your drain. There are bacteria in your system that helps to break down the solids that make their way into your pipes. Any household chemicals destroy this bacteria that is necessary for the functioning of your septic tank.
- Do not park or put pressure on your septic tank drain field. The drain field should be reserved for topsoil and plants only. If any pressure is added to the surface, it will cause the soil to be packed down and potentially break the pipes underneath.
There’s a lot more information about where this comes from! If you have any questions about maintaining your septic tank drain field, be sure to contact us today! We’d be happy to set up an appointment to discuss an action plan for your septic tank.