Maintaining Septic Systems

How to Treat a Septic Tank

There are a few simple rules that if taken seriously, will extend the life of a septic system dramatically. Many things are common sense, others are not as obvious.

In the kitchen:

• Do not pour grease or oils down any drains. Instead, keep a container set aside for those sorts of items and throw the container in the garbage when it is full.
• Use a good garbage disposal that will grind food thoroughly and rinse the drain well with water.
• Do not run coffee grounds into the septic system.
• Instead of letting the water run to get cold enough for drinking, keep a pitcher of drinking water in the fridge.

In the bathroom:

• Do not flush anything other than human waste and bio-degradable toilet paper.
• Do not flush cigarette butts.
• Try to keep hair from going down the drain.
• Do not flush diapers or wet wipes.
• Do not flush any feminine products.
• Try to limit how long showers are.
• Turn off water when brushing teeth or shaving.

In the laundry room:

• Liquid detergents are favored over powdered as the powdered types can clog the system.
• Over use of household cleaning chemicals can damage good bacteria which is working in the tank so it is best to limit their use.
• Paint, paint thinners, pesticides, and other strong household chemicals should never be poured down the drain.

In the yard:

• Try to plant trees at least 100 feet away from the septic system, especially trees with shallow roots.
• Any natural drainage or gutters should be routed away from the system.
• Make sure that there is grass planted over the tank and drainfield to prevent erosion.

Enzymes

Commercial products which are sold to create bacteria in the tank are very beneficial to septic systems. Terrytown Plumbing carries Bio-Clean which is a natural enzyme that mixes with the other bacteria in the tank and drainfield to help keep the system healthy. It is as simple as flushing some down the toilet on a monthly maintenance basis.

Before buying any sort of enzyme, be sure to see if it is backed by a septic professional. Any product that claims to "end septic tank pumping" may cause the sludge layer to fluff up and be washed out into the drainfield which may plug the soil spores.

Pumping

A septic tank should be pumped at least once every three years. Many County Zoning offices require that the tank be pumped and an inspection done every three years and require that the results be sent back to their offices. The most important part of pumping is that it is done by a licensed pumping professional who knows what to look for if there are any problems. The professional will also dispose of the pumped matter in an ecologically safe way.

General

Make sure that all faucets and toilets are maintained so that no excess water is going into the septic. Water softeners are ok to have if you have a septic system. It is recommended though that they be metered for regeneration. A metered softener means that it will regenerate based on water usage versus a set time period, ie: every three days