Here are the 5 critical steps you can take to maintain your septic system. Are you one of the many homeowners in King County Washington or Snohomish County Washington that stays up at night, staring at their septic system panel; wondering if their septic system alarm will trigger? Or are you one of the homeowners who constantly cleans their filter, even though the septic filter didn’t require cleaning? Here are 5 key things you can do to maintain your septic system.
Maintaining your septic system doesn’t have to be an impossible, numbing or debilitating task. We’ve compiled 5 best practices you can implement to ensure your septic system functioning at an optimal level.
- Manage water usage . Spread out laundry loads, fix leaking faucets and toilets, and use water-efficient fixtures. Excess water can overload the system and reduce treatment performance, over saturation which is harbinger to septic system odors, effluent seepage, or worst sewage backups from the septic system into your home.
- Only flush what belongs in the septic system. When your home is serviced by a septic system, its mission critical you only flush items that are meant to be flushed; such as human waste and toilet paper. It’s imperative that you avoid wipes (even “flushable” ones), paper towels, feminine hygiene products, diapers, dental floss, cat litter, and other non-biodegradable items.
- Keep grease and harmful chemicals out of the drains. Avoid pouring cooking grease, oils, paint, solvents, pesticides, medications, or excessive amounts of bleach and antibacterial cleaners down sinks or toilets, as they can disrupt the beneficial bacteria that treat wastewater.
- Maintain the mechanical components of your septic system. Ensure the air compressor, effluent pump, alarms, and disinfection system (if applicable) are working correctly. If an alarm sounds, investigate or contact your service provider promptly.
- Schedule regular septic system inspections and septic tank pumping. Routine septic system pumping is one of the most important maintenance requirements that many homeowners gloss over, which typically leads to unexpected emergency service fees or costly septic system repairs. Have the system inspected at least annually if it’s a proprietary septic system (or as required by your local regulations) and pump the tanks when recommended.
- Protect the septic system treatment and septic system drainfield areas. Don’t drive, park, or build over the tanks or drainfield. Keep heavy equipment off these areas, and plant only grass or shallow-rooted vegetation nearby to prevent root intrusion. Additionally, if you have a irrigation system, ensure you hire a septic provider to locate the drainfield and other components that can be negatively affected by the irrigation system.
- Know your septic system and keep records. Maintaining accurate septic system records ensures you’re compliant and it provides a track record of all previous services completed. Keep a record of maintenance, pumping, repairs, and component replacements. Knowing the location of your tanks and drainfield also helps prevent accidental damage during landscaping or construction.
