Helpful Tips

Helpful Tips for Septic Tank Maintenance & Operation

Environmental officials and community leaders agree – your septic system and other onsite wastewater treatment systems must be operated and maintained to function correctly. In this way, small onsite systems that serve individual homes are no different than large centralized wastewater facilities serving entire communities. But unlike large community systems, individual home onsite wastewater systems have no operator to monitor them and no staff to keep records or perform regular maintenance. In most communities, it is up to system owners to initiate maintenance.

With over 59 years of experience in septic system maintenance, our trained personnel have the necessary qualifications to operate and maintain your septic system.

Anyone can service your onsite system, but not just anyone is trained to look at the components of your system and advise you on trouble areas.

Most homeowners take the simple act of using water in their home for granted. It is not until the water does not go down the drain, or water surfaces in the yard, that it is realized that there is a problem. By the time onsite system problems become noticeable, they may already be a threat to public health and the environment.

Regular septic system maintenance and inspections cannot only help avoid backups and extend the life of your system, but also protect the water quality of our drinking water, streams, lakes and ponds.

Do

Spread out laundry over several days. While there may be convenience to doing your laundry all in one day, septic systems are not designed to handle that much water at one time. Also refrain from using both your washer and your dish washer at the same time.
Use biodegradable soaps and cleaning agents, and trend towards liquid laundry detergent. Powdered laundry detergent can cause a buildup of soap and solids in the tank which can create backups.
Conserve as much water as possible. For example, try to run full loads in the dishwasher, and spend less time in the shower with the water running. Additionally, check the house occasionally for leaking toilets and faucets. We can provide you with a toilet leak detection kit.
Minimize the amount of bleach and other harsh cleaners and chemicals used. Normal use of these cleaners should not affect your system, but excessive amounts can cause bacteria to die and prevent the system from operating properly.
If your system has a splitter (diverter) box, make the adjustment to alternate the usage of your leach lines once yearly.
Keep a record of your septic system. Type, location, installation date, and most importantly service and repair records. We have file folders available to our customers to keep these records all together. It is important that you know the different components of the system that you have, and the maintenance requirements of the system.
Pump your septic tank or tanks every two to three years. If the tank is not pumped periodically, the solids are carried into your secondary treatment, whether it be leach trenches, mounds, sand filters, or other components. Once this occurs your treatment area can clog with the solids and cause system failure. Pumping your septic tank regularly is much less expensive than replacing your septic system.

Don't

Don’t flush wipes of any kind down the drain. While they may say flushable, they do not break down in the septic tank, can cause damage to aerators or pumps, and cause blockages in pipes.
Don’t flush anything down the toilet except toilet tissue and whatever you have already eaten. This should be a strict rule.
Don’t pour cooking or any other kind of oil or grease down the drains or toilet.
Don’t put any paints or solvents of any kind down your drains, not even water-based paints.
Don’t neglect your septic system, it is your onsite wastewater treatment plant. Having city sewers comes with a sewer tax. While you have the benefit of not paying that tax, you have the responsibility to maintain your treatment plant.
Don’t rely on the wide range of septic tank additives to be a substitute for the routine pumping of you tank. There are no products, at this time, that can be used without also periodically pumping the tank.
Don’t use a garbage disposal. Garbage disposals add solids and grease which cannot break down in a septic tank and build-up quickly which can cause backup or system failure. If you absolutely must use one, try to limit your use as much as possible and make the choice to pump your septic tank more often.