7 Tips to Take Care of Your Septic System

Taking care of your septic system is not complicated and doesn’t have to cost you a lot of money. NOT taking care of your septic, however, could cost you big bucks in the end, as digging up and replacing a septic system can cost tens of thousands of dollars.

What Is a Septic System?

If your home is not part of a city water and sewer system, your septic system is crucial because it treats all the wastewater that comes from your house, including the water from the bathrooms, kitchen and laundry room. Grey water is most commonly used for outdoor irrigation.

Septic systems typically feature a tank, where wastewater flows for treatment and the solids are separated from liquid waste. Microorganisms break down the organic matters in the wastewater. From there, the wastewater moves into the drain or leach field, which consists of perforated pipes. The wastewater will either evaporate or drain into the soil.

Get Familiar With Your Septic System

Good maintenance starts with understanding how your septic tank works, what type of system it is and where it’s located. Because state laws require a permit for septic system installation, your county or town should have a record of the permit and a map of the tank’s layout and location. You might be able to find visual clues like sewer covers, or by checking the direction the sewer pipe, located in the basement, leads out of the house.

Have It Pumped Routinely

The average household septic system should be pumped (have solids removed) every three to five years. The average cost of pumping a residential septic tank is between $300 and $600, depending on the size of the tank.

When you call a septic service provider, they will also inspect for leaks and examine the sludge layers in your septic tank. Remember to save ALL maintenance records on work performed on your septic system. They will come in handy should problems arise, or when you sell your house.

Spread Your Washing Machine/Dishwasher Usage Throughout the Week

You may think having a designated “laundry day,” when you wash all your clothes and perhaps even run your dishwasher, will be a time saver. But it puts a lot of stress on your septic system. You need to give your septic system time to treat the wastewater or you could overload the system and flood your drainfield. Instead, opt to do a full load (to ensure you’re not wasting water) a couple of days a week.

Don’t Treat Your Toilet Like a Trash Can

The ONLY thing that should be flushed down the toilet that doesn’t come out of your body is toilet paper. That means no tissues, diapers, feminine products, hair, dental floss…nothing.

Toilet paper is designed to break down in the septic tank. Any other items are not; they’ll clog and damage your septic system. Look for toilet paper that is safe for your septic. Some of the lush, expensive brands with lotions and extra plys could clog or add unwanted chemicals into your system.

Think About What You Dump Down the Kitchen Sink Drain

We dump many things down the kitchen sink that can wreak havoc on a septic system. Never wash things like coffee grounds, eggshells, medication, produce stickers, flour, etc. down the sink drain. All can clog pipes or block screens.

Also, do not discard any type of oil like cooking oil or paint, grease and fat because it will clog your septic system. Even dairy products like milk, cream and butter are bad to send down the drain. It’s hard for dairy to break down in a septic tank because of the lack of oxygen.

When you use a garbage disposal with a septic tank, the ground-up food particles add to the layer of solids deposited on the bottom of your tank. That’s why homeowners need to be extra vigilant that the only material they put down a garbage disposal is biodegradable food. Find out how a septic tank works.

Be Careful With Cleaning Chemicals

Various cleaning products homeowners use can harm the good bacteria in a septic system. Avoid using chemicals like bleach when washing clothes. If you absolutely have to, use a small amount.

Do not use drain cleaners, which, aside from killing the good bacteria, can damage the tank itself. If a plunger doesn’t clear a clog, try a toilet drain snake, which also works on clogged kitchen and bathroom sinks. Toilet bowl cleaners are also bad for your septic as they typically contain bleach. Avoid antibacterial soaps and disinfectants that contain quaternary ammonia as well.

Fortunately there are lots of natural or plant-based cleaning product alternatives to these harsh chemicals.

Protect Your Drainfield

Proper maintenance of your drainfield starts with closely monitoring water usage and what goes into your septic system, as noted above. Never drive or park vehicles over your drainfield. Make sure gutters and sump pumps empty water far away from the drainfield. Avoid planting trees and shrubs close to the drainfield, as roots could interfere with pipes.