How to Properly Take Care of Your Septic System
Your septic tank is an essential component of your septic system, working behind the scenes to ensure proper wastewater management and elimination. However, without proper care and maintenance, your septic tank will fail and cost you a lot of money down the road on repairs and replacement.
Here at Septic Blue of Charlotte, we’ve compiled tips to take care of your septic tank and extend its lifespan.
Pump Your Tank
Septic tank pumping is an integral part of keeping your septic tank in tip-top condition. It involves removing accumulated solids, sludge, and scum from a septic tank. If you don’t pump your tank as needed, a wide range of problems can arise. For example, the contents in the septic tank can build up to a level where they will block the outlet pipe and lead to sewage backup. Besides, the excess solids and scum can escape into the drainfield and cause drainfield failure. It’s recommended to call in a professional septic company to pump your septic tank when the combined thickness of the sludge and scum layers exceeds 30% of the total liquid depth in the tank. Other factors that will determine how often you need to pump your septic tank include:
- Septic tank size
- Volume of solids in wastewater
- Total wastewater generated
- Household size
- Septic tank maintenance history
- Local regulations and guidelines
If you’re not sure if it’s time to pump your septic tank, consult with experienced septic technicians. The technicians will inspect your septic tank and provide expert guidance on the appropriate pumping frequency for your septic system. In addition to septic tank pumping, you should have your septic tank inspected at least once a year. Septic tank inspection allows you to identify potential septic problems and address them before they get out of hand.
Be Mindful Of What You Flush Down the Toilet
Your toilet is not a trash can. Besides human waste, pee, wastewater, and toilet paper, nothing else should be going down your drain. Flushing inappropriate items down the drain can have a detrimental effect on your septic tank. These items can cause clogs and obstructions in your septic tank and increase the accumulation of solids.
