Septic system maintenance is not hard, complicated, or too expensive, but it is definitely important. Checking on your septic system is something that you should be sure to include in your yearly home maintenance checklist. At Bay State, we are here to help you with each part of septic system maintenance. Septic system upkeep comes down to four key elements: inspecting and pumping frequently, using water efficiently, properly disposing of waste, and maintaining your drainfield. If you make sure to contact a septic expert to help you implement these four things in your septic system maintenance, then you will be good to go.
Inspect and Pump Frequently
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, should be getting your household septic system inspected by a service, like Bay State, every three years.[1] And, if you have an Alternative septic system with electrical float switches, pumps, or mechanical components, you should be getting this checked yearly. And, it is important to note that septic systems should be pumped every three to five years.[2] A professional will inspect for leaks and examine the scum and sludge layers in your septic tank and then determine if the system needs to be pumped. If the system does need to be pumped, Bay State offers plenty of pumping services that will fit your needs.
Use Water Efficiently
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, The average indoor water use in a typical single-family home is nearly 70 gallons per individual, per day.[3] And, if you have leaky toilets or faucets, you could be wasting even more water, which ends up in your septic system. But, if you have an energy efficient home and are conscious about conserving water, then you can keep your septic system in good shape, as less water will enter it. If you are looking for some easy ways to conserve water that will help you save money in the long run, then look into high-efficiency toilets, washing machines, showerheads, and faucets. Overall, the more water you focus on saving, the less money you will spend on septic system repairs.
Properly Dispose of Waste
Anything that you put down any drain in your house will ultimately wind up in your septic system. This is why you need to be extra careful of what you are flushing down toilets or stuffing down drains. The more things that are thrown carelessly into drains, the more clogged up your septic system gets. A simple way to cure this is to remember that only human waste and toilet paper should be flushed down toilets and that only water should go down sink drains. Be sure to avoid anything like wipes in toilets and anything like grease or chemicals in your drains, as they will clog the system or kill healthy bacteria. However, if you do think your water lines are blocked, be sure to call a professional to get their help properly cleaning out your water lines.
Maintain Your Drainfield
If you’re not sure what your drainfield is and what it does, no worries. It is an important component of your septic system that removes contaminants from the liquid that emerges from your septic tank. In order to maintain your drainfield, be sure to know where on your property it is located. Then, you should make sure not to park on it, not to plant too many trees near it, and not to place any additional water systems nearby. If you focus on maintaining your drainfield with these easy rules, you will help improve the longevity of your septic system.
Overall, these four steps will help educate you on how to properly maintain your septic system. If you have any questions about being a how to maintain your septic system, feel free to reach out to us at Bay State.
[1] https://www.epa.gov/septic/how-care-your-septic-system