A guide to septic tank maintenance designed to prolong the life of septic tank, cesspit, sand mound, leach field, lateral line and raised mound septic systems. Adjust this schedule to suit your own needs and remember to maintain your system with monthy doses of bacteria and enzymes.
Weekly:
1) Keep alert for smells or odors permeating from your yard or within the home. Pressures within the septic system can allow gases to escape through drainage areas or past pea traps under sinks.
2) Keep alert for leaks within the property. Slow leaks can destroy the drainage permeability within just a few months if not corrected. A slow leaking toilet or faucet and add several gallons per day to your system which will cause undue stress on the drainage capability.
3) Visually note any subtle changes in foliage color or density surrounding your drainage areas and septic tank. Greener grass does not mean that the system is malfunctioning but what is important is what changes are occurring abnormally.
Monthly:
1) Walk the entire septic system area. Inspect for erosion, odors, wet spots or any changes in foliage growth or coloring. Check for depressed or lower areas where soil compaction may have created a valley effect. Correct any issues per code with the addition of soil to reestablish proper drainage area terrain.
2) Perform a thorough inspection for leakage within the property. When it is certain that no water is flowing within the property, listen closely at the cleanout or mainline for trickling sounds. Water movement during times of non-use may mean that a leak is present somewhere upstream of the septic system or you may have backflow coming into the tank from the filed or lateral line area. Make any repairs as quickly as possible to avoid undue stress on the system.
Yearly:
1) Have the system internally inspected by a septic professional. This inspection will check the structural integrity of the tank or pit system and will provide useful flow feedback. The inspector will check all mechanical components of the system include aeration units, floats, baffles and pumps to assure all are functioning properly. The inspector will concur with your regular maintenance findings and a better understanding of pump-out frequency requirement can be achieved.
Routinely:
Utilize low flow faucets and shower fixtures. Conserve water and limit laundry and dishwasher use to full loads only. Be conscientious of your household water use and actively conserve where possible. Be aware that certain household cleaners can be devastating to the healthy bacteria so crucial to your systems performance. Try using green type products that are less offensive to the colony life which you system depends on to effectively break down and process waste. Utilize the world’s strongest septic additive to maintain and clean your entire system as an ongoing maintenance.