The septic tank: a crucial, yet undervalued, component of your home's wastewater management system. Your septic tank treats and disposes of the wastewater that comes from your home’s sinks, toilets, and shower. Quietly, but efficiently, it treats domestic sewage by using the natural filtering process of the soil.
Natural bacteria breaks down any potentially harmful substances and makes your water safe to use. A pretty essential piece of equipment then? However, it’s likely that, along with most homeowners, you’ve not really given much thought to the maintenance of your septic tank.
Many people don’t realise that by keeping your tank in tip-top condition, you can ensure that it lasts for between 30-50 years. In turn, this saves you huge expenses on replacements in the future and means that you’ll be less likely to have to rectify unexpected breakdowns and faults. So, if you’re wondering how to keep your septic tank in check, take a look at our top four tips:
Pump Your Septic Tank Regulary
To keep your septic tank working at optimum performance, you should pump your tank regularly. This is because, the more waste your tank holds, the less efficient it will become. Lower efficiency leads to greater risk of breakdown or damage and regular pumping reduces this risk.
As a rule of thumb, we would recommend you pump your tank every 1-2 years - but of course this depends on the size of your tank and the number of people in your household. We’d suggest pumping your tank annually as part of your regular tank checks. Be sure to call in specialists to do this for you - they’ll be able to remove any solids and sludge that have accumulated, preventing backups and other issues.
Keep Your Septic Tank Secured
You might think that injuries or illnesses caused by septic tanks are rare - but in fact, they do happen. When septic tanks are left unsecured, there’s a risk that people can fall through. There’s even a potential risk of drowning.
By ensuring that you cover your tank openings with durable lids that are secured in place, you reduce this possibility.
They also prevent the tank from being damaged by external visitors (foxes!) who might harm your tank and pipes - and this can lead to expensive repairs.
Use Water Efficiently
Too much water in your system means too much strain on your tank. This can lead to a weakened system, and it will reduce the lifespan of your tank.
Using water efficiently is not only good for your tank, but it is also good for the environment - and it can reduce your water bills.
Simple but effective measures to reduce your water consumption include taking shorter showers, using less bath water, and using the eco-settings on your washing machines and dishwashers. If you’re willing to go the extra mile to save on water, you should think about ‘low flow’ shower heads and toilets, as well as updating your toilet cistern to a more efficient one.
Install Risers
Risers are extensions that raise the height of the tank access points to ground level. This makes maintenance a whole lot easier because you’ll be able to access you tank easily, without having to dig up the ground every time it needs servicing. Be sure to keep your riser caps are secure - especially if you have young children!
Keep accurate records
You should always keep any records relating to your septic tank such as maintenance, repairs and permits. This will make it easier to schedule septic tank maintenance and identify causes for water quality changes. These should be passed onto the new owner if you sell your property.
Practice water conservation
This saves water which is an effective way to reduce your carbon footprint and environmental harm. It will also minimise the amount of solids in the septic tank, which will help your system work more efficiently.
Get help from a certified professional
You should always consult with a septic tank professional if you notice any warning signs or encounter any problems with your septic tank.
Things you shouldn’t do:
Put things in your system
Certain things will stop your system from working as efficiently and can lead to blockages and leaks. You should never flush the following things down the toilet, or allow them to enter your system.
- Fats or grease
- Motor oils or fuels
- Disposable diapers
- Coffee grounds, egg shells, nut shells
- Filter tip cigarettes
- Sanitary napkins, tampons or condoms
- Paper towels or rags
- Paints or chemicals
Use harsh chemicals
Harsh chemicals from products like drain cleaners, floor cleaners, paints solvents, waxes, polishes and strippers, can destroy important bacteria in the septic tank and contaminate ground and surface water. You should therefore avoid putting them down your drain as much as possible.
Allow traffic on your drain field
It is important to keep any traffic away from your drain field. Do not allow vehicles, heavy equipment or livestock to be in the area, as the pressure can compact the soil and damage the tank and system pipes.
Cover your drain field
Do not place impermeable materials like concrete or plastic over your drain field, as this may prevent oxygen from getting into the soil. Oxygen is needed by bacteria to break down the wastewater.
Use too many additives
Additives may provide a short-term benefit, but they can create long-term problems. You should therefore use them sparingly and only when needed. If used continually, these products do not reduce the need for routine pumping
Dispose of water from hot tubs into the system
The large volume of water will overload the system and the disinfectant in the water can also destroy important bacteria in the system.
Allow runoff into your system
Excessive water from roofs, driveways and patios can overwhelm the drain field, causing irreversible damage. You should therefore keep all runoff water away from your system.
Use a garbage disposal
This will add solids and grease to the system. Keep in mind that if a garbage disposal is used, more frequent cleaning of the septic tank will be required.
NEVER enter a septic tank
The most important thing is to never open or enter a septic tank. The gases and chemicals produced during the treatment process can be extremely toxic, and lead to serious injury and even death. Any work should therefore be done from the outside and you should always contact a certified septic tank professional if you have any problems with your system.
Follow these septic tank maintenance tips and your system should provide you with many years of trouble free service.
What Maintenance Does a Septic Tank Need?
Having a service professional look at your septic systems once a year is a healthy and wise investment. As well as pumping your tank, they’ll be able to test the system's drain field, and ensure that the tank's inlet and outlet pipes are free of debris.
De-sludging - emptying your system - should also be carried out yearly to prevent flooding, and again, it is important to enlist a trained professional to do this for you.
There are tasks that you, as homeowners, can do to make sure your septic tank is running smoothly - you can check the vents, for example, on a monthly basis, to make sure they aren’t blocked.
The Importance of Septic Tank Maintenance
We have already discussed the benefits of looking after your septic tank in terms of prolonging its life and saving you money - but did you know that a tank that is not properly maintained also poses both health and environmental risks?
Failing to maintain your septic tank can result in the release of harmful bacteria and pollutants into the environment, which can contaminate nearby water sources and harm wildlife.
With these potential risks comes strict regulations and responsibilities. As homeowners, you are ultimately responsible for the upkeep of your septic tank - and you should make yourself aware of the legal expectations in this area.
So, follow these maintenance tips to help you keep your system in good working order and avoid costly repairs. By maintaining your septic tank, you're not only protecting your home's wastewater system but also the environment.
