Septic System Maintenance

What You Need To Do

1. Keep a record of all inspections, pumpings, repairs and a sketch of where your septic system is located.

2. Keep access to your tank unobstructed so that the truck can back up to your tank. 

3. Don't plant anything but grass on the drainfield.

4. Don't drive on the drainfield.

5. Install low water appliances, especially toilets.

6. Run only 1-2 full laundry loads per day.  If you need to run a small load, select the smaller load size to use less water.

7. Fix any leaky faucets or pipes.

8. Avoid using the garbage disposal, water additives or purification systems.

9. Don't empty your hot tub into the septic system.  Drain the cooled hot tub water well away from the septic tank or drainfield.

10. Don't put medications, household chemicals and cleaners, drain cleaners, cigarette butts, kitty litter, paints, paint thinners, anti-freeze, oil or pesticides down your drains.

11. Make sure that all family members and houseguests are aware of what shouldn't go down the drain.

12. If recommended by your septic professional, add a bacterial and enzyme treatment to your septic system every month. 

13. Hire a company that has the capacity to empty your tank in one visit. 

 

What Your Septic Professional Will Do

1. Install risers and elevated access covers, if they haven't been installed.

2. Inspect for leaks and the condition of the tank.

3. Check the condition of the baffles or tees.

4. Examine the drainfield for signs of failure.

5. Agitate the tank.  Why?  Agitation converts the contents of the tank to one consistency and reduces the density of the materials at the bottom of the tank.  The single, lower density consistency facilitates pumping.

6. Clean the effluent filter.*

7. Measure the scum and sludge layers.

8. If needed, pump the tank through the manhole.

9. Inspect the alarms, electric float switches, pumps and any other mechanical components.