Residential Septic System Dos & Don'ts
A healthy septic system requires regular septic pumping and system maintenance. Our customers all over Southeastern Massachusetts are always asking us how to keep their septic system costs lower. Expenses associated with your septic system require knowing what to do (and what not to do) when it comes to septic pumping and your septic system. Here is a comprehensive list to help you along the way:
Septic System Dos
- Have septic pumping service regularly.
- Keep records of this service and maintenance.
- Keep records of the key parts of your septic system for future maintenance.
- Use water-conserving appliances and devices whenever possible, including showerheads and flush toilets.
- Spread laundry use over the week, rather than doing multiple loads in one day.
- Add lint traps to your washing machine, and manually clean these after each use.
- Keep trees with large root systems from growing on or near your leach field.
- Run water regularly in all drains (even seldom-used drains) to prevent the buildup of noxious gases.
- Use single-ply toilet paper.
- Use non-chlorine, non-ammonia, non-antibacterial, non-toxic, and biodegradable cleaning products.
- Conserve water by avoiding long showers and using dishwashers and other water devices sparingly.
- Divert gutter drains and surface waters away from your septic system.
- Keep to an annual maintenance program to remove scum and sludge buildup.
Septic System Don'ts
- Don’t connect water softener to on-site septic systems.
- Don’t use garbage disposals. This will shorten the life of your system and cause clogs because these food particles do not break down.
- Don’t let fats, chemicals, or solvents to get into your septic system.
- Don’t allow any plastics to enter your system.
- Don’t allow any type of heavy equipment – including vehicles – to park or drive over your leach field. This could crush the piping.
- Don’t plant anything over the leach field except for grass.
- Don’t flush anything other than human waste and toilet paper. This includes not flushing coffee grounds, poisons, litter, tampons, paper towels, dental floss, pills, paints, oils, and any kind of wipes.
- Don’t attempt to make any repairs on your own to your system. Always consult a specialist.
Bay State Customer Review
"Bay State Sewage has always been very helpful. They tell me what’s best for my septic system and have never tried to sell me anything I don’t need. I’ve told everyone about them and now my entire neighborhood uses Bay State Sewage."
Sherri E.
West Bridgewater, MA 02379
Plymouth County