Caring for your septic system is essential to ensure its proper functioning and long-term health. Many homeowners need to figure out where to start when it comes to caring for their septic systems. Still, with the correct information and guidance, you can ensure that your septic tank remains in good working order. In this blog post, we’ll discuss how understanding your system, regular maintenance, proper use, and warning signs of trouble are all important aspects of care for your septic system that will help keep things running smoothly. We’ll also provide professional services recommendations so you can have peace of mind knowing that any issues or needs related to the care of your septic system are taken care of properly.
Understanding Your Septic System
Components of a Septic System:
A septic system comprises several components, including the tank, drain field, and pipes. The tank is typically made from concrete or plastic and separates wastewater from solids. This wastewater then flows to the drain field, which is absorbed into the soil. Pipes connect all these components and allow water to flow in one direction throughout the system.
How a Septic System Works:
A septic system separates solid waste from liquid waste before entering the tank. Solid waste sinks to the bottom, while liquid waste rises to the top. Bacteria break down organic material in both layers as they move through the tank, which helps reduce odors and prevent further blockages in your plumbing lines. Once this process is complete, wastewater exits through an outlet pipe at one end of your tank. It travels out into your yard’s drainage area (drain field). Here it slowly filters back into groundwater or evaporates off naturally over time.
Regular Maintenance for Your Septic System
Regular maintenance of your septic system is essential to keep it functioning correctly. Pumping out the septic tank should be done every three to five years, depending on the usage and size of the tank. Septic tank pumping helps remove any solids built up in the tank, allowing proper flow through the drain field. Inspecting your system annually or bi-annually is essential for any signs of damage or wear and tear. If you notice anything suspicious, call a professional immediately, as repairs can help prevent costly replacements down the road.
Avoiding damage to your septic system is vital for regular maintenance. To do this, never flush items such as diapers, feminine hygiene products, paper towels, or other non-biodegradable materials down toilets or drains. These can clog pipes and cause backups in tanks and fields. Additionally, limit water usage in the home by taking shorter showers and turning off faucets while brushing teeth or shaving; too much water entering into a septic system at once can lead to overflows which could result in serious health risks due to contamination from sewage waste entering groundwater sources nearby. Lastly, ensure all hazardous chemicals are disposed of properly so they don’t end up leaching into the soil around your property, where they could eventually find their way into local waterways causing environmental damage over time if not taken care of correctly.
Key Takeaway: Regular maintenance and avoiding damage is vital to keeping your septic system functioning properly: have the septic tank pumped every 3-5 years, inspect annually or bi-annually, avoid flushing non-biodegradable materials, limit water usage, and dispose of hazardous chemicals properly.
Proper Use of Your Septic System
What Not to Put Down the Drain or Toilet:
Knowing what not to put down your drain or toilet is essential, as this can cause damage and clogs in your septic system. Never flush anything other than human waste and toilet paper, such as feminine hygiene products, diapers, wipes, cotton swabs/balls, condoms, dental floss, and grease. These items will not break down in the tank like regular sewage and can cause a blockage. Additionally, avoid pouring chemicals such as paint thinners or solvents into drains. These hazardous materials should be disposed of properly at an approved facility.
Limiting Water Usage in the Home:
Your septic system relies on a balance between water entering the tank from household use and wastewater leaving it for treatment elsewhere. Excessive water usage can overwhelm your system, causing backups and overflows, which could lead to costly repairs. Ensure all faucets have aerators installed so you don’t use more water than necessary when washing dishes or taking showers/baths; also, consider installing low-flow toilets if you haven’t already done so.
If you need to dispose of any hazardous materials, such as motor oil or antifreeze, ensure they are taken care of properly by either bringing them to an approved disposal site or having them picked up by a licensed hauler specializing in dealing with these types of materials safely. In addition, never pour any chemical directly onto your lawn near your septic tank’s location since this could contaminate both groundwater supplies nearby and the soil around it, leading to potential health risks for anyone close by, including yourself.
Key Takeaway: Never flush anything other than human waste and toilet paper, limit water usage in the home, and dispose of hazardous materials properly to protect your septic system.
Warning Signs of Trouble with Your Septic System
Foul Odors Coming from Drains or Yard Areas:
If you notice a foul odor coming from your drains or yard areas, this could indicate something wrong with your septic system. Foul odors could mean that the septic tank needs to be pumped out or suggest a more severe problem, such as a broken pipe or clogged drain field.
Slow Draining Sinks, Tubs, and Toilets:
Slow-draining sinks, tubs, and toilets can also indicate problems with your septic system. Slow-draining can happen when solids build up in the pipes leading to the tank and cause blockages. It can also occur if too much water is used in the home, which causes backups in the septic tank itself.
Another sign of trouble with your septic system is wet spots in your yard near the septic tank. Wet areas indicate that either too much water has been put into the system for it to handle correctly or that there may be a leak somewhere along one of its lines leading away from it. In either case, professional help should be sought immediately to avoid further damage to property and the environment.
Professional Services for Your Septic System Care Needs
When to Call for Professional Help with Your Septic System Care Needs?
It is essential to know when it is time to call a professional for help with your septic system care needs. Suppose you are experiencing any warning signs mentioned in section 4, such as foul odors from drains or yard areas, slow-draining sinks, tubs, and toilets, or wet spots in the yard or pooling water near the tank area. In that case, it may be time to contact a professional.
Additionally, if you have yet to have your septic system inspected within the last three years, then it would be wise to do so. Regular maintenance and inspections can prevent costly repairs down the road.
Benefits of Professional Services for Your Septic System Care Needs
Professional services can provide many benefits when caring for your septic system, including an accurate diagnosis of any problems and proper installation and repair services if needed. A qualified technician will also be able to advise on how best to maintain your septic system over time which can save money by avoiding costly repairs due to neglect or improper use of the system. In addition, they can recommend safe and effective products for maintaining your septic system, such as bacteria treatments and enzymes specifically designed for this purpose.
Key Takeaway: A professional septic system care service can provide accurate diagnosis and repair, provide preventative maintenance advice, and recommend safe products to maintain the system.
FAQs about How to Care for Your Septic System
How do I keep my septic system healthy?
Maintaining a healthy septic system requires regular maintenance and care:
- Have your tank pumped out every two to five years depending on how many people are in the household to remove any accumulated solids in the tank.
- Avoid flushing items such as paper towels, feminine hygiene products, or other non-biodegradable materials down the toilets or drains.
- Be mindful of what you put into your garbage disposal; only small amounts of food waste should be ground up and disposed of this way. Never wash things like coffee grounds, eggshells, medication, produce stickers, flour, etc., down the sink drain. All can clog pipes or block screens.
- Install a quality filter on all drain lines leading from the house to help prevent clogs and backups.
Following these steps will ensure that your septic system remains healthy for many years to come.
What are the dos and don’ts of a septic tank?
Do’s:
- Have your septic tank inspected and pumped regularly. Septic tank inspections will help to prevent costly repairs and maintain a healthy system.
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to maintain your septic system, including adding bacteria or enzymes as needed.
- Use water efficiently by fixing leaks and using low-flow fixtures when possible.
- Divert surface runoff away from the septic system to avoid flooding it with too much water at once.
Don’ts:
- Don’t flush anything other than toilet paper down the toilet – no feminine hygiene products, diapers, wipes, etc., should ever be flushed into a septic tank.
- Don’t use drain cleaners or harsh chemicals such as bleach or ammonia in your drains; these can kill beneficial bacteria in the tank that are necessary for the system’s proper functioning.
- Don’t drive over or park on top of your septic tank; this can cause damage to its components which could lead to expensive repairs later on.
- Ensure gutters and sump pumps empty water far away from the drain field.
- Avoid planting trees and shrubs close to the drain field, as roots could interfere with pipes.
What are the signs that your septic tank is full?
A full septic tank is a serious issue that needs to be addressed as soon as possible. Signs of a full septic tank include slow-draining toilets and sinks, gurgling sounds coming from the drains, water backing up in the tub or shower, and an unpleasant odor emanating from the drain lines. If you notice any of these signs, it’s essential to contact a professional septic services company right away for help with inspection and maintenance. Doing so can prevent further damage to your system and save you money in the long run.
How often do you really need to pump your septic tank?
The frequency of septic tank pumping depends on several factors, including the size of your tank and the number of people in your household. Generally, the average household septic system should be pumped every 2 to 5 years. However, if you have more than four people living in your home or use the garbage disposal frequently, it may need to be pumped more often. Additionally, suppose you notice any signs that indicate an issue with your system, such as slow-draining toilets or water backing up into drains. In that case, it is crucial to contact a professional septic services company for assistance immediately.
Conclusion
Taking care of your septic system is essential to being a responsible homeowner. Regular maintenance, proper use, and understanding the warning signs are all critical components to keeping your septic system in good working order. If you have any questions or concerns about properly caring for your septic system, contact a professional service provider who can provide expert advice and assistance with maintaining and servicing your septic system. With regular maintenance and proper care for your septic system, you can ensure that it will continue to function optimally for years.
At Missouri Septic Services, we understand the importance of a working septic system. We are dedicated to providing the highest quality service and solutions for all your septic system needs. Our team of professionals will help you identify issues with your current system and provide reliable advice on keeping it running correctly. With our expertise in diagnosing, installing, repairing, and maintaining residential or commercial septic systems, you can trust that we’ll take care of everything from start to finish! Contact us today so we can get started on helping solve all your septic problems now!
Areas We Serve Include:
- Battlefield, MO
- Billings, MO
- Branson West, MO
- Branson, MO
- Clever, MO
- Crane, MO
- Fair Grove, MO
- Fordland, MO
- Fremont Hills, MO
- Galena, MO
- Highlandville, MO
- Hurley, MO
- Marshfield, MO
- Nixa, MO
- Ozark, MO
- Republic, MO
- Rogersville, MO
- Seymour, MO
- Sparta, MO
- Springfield, MO
- Strafford, MO