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Many homeowners find themselves caring for and maintaining a septic system on their property. At first glance, this can feel like a daunting, expensive, and potentially disgusting element of homeownership. However, with proper maintenance and an understanding of the functions and capabilities of a septic system, potential problems and expenses can be easily avoided.
Septic Tanks and the Environment
When deciding to install a new system, or replace an old one, it is important to consider the impact on the environment and your property. Systems that are old or installed improperly can leak and cause damage to your property. Furthermore, leaks continue to seep into the ground which can eventually flow into rivers and streams, which can cause damage to the wildlife in those areas. Services such as alsepticfl.com can help ensure that all of the proper permits and systems are in place to keep the tank free of leaks or other forms of contamination.
Determining Maintenance Frequency
Septic systems come in varying sizes and types. The size of the home generally coincides with the number of people living there, so the size of the tank is often defined by the number of bedrooms. For example, a four-bedroom home usually has around 4-6 people living there, so your tank should be labeled as a four bedroom system. If your tank is smaller than the house size or number of people living there, you likely need more frequent inspections and pumping. The general rule of thumb is inspections every three years and pumping every three to five years.
Additional Tips for Maintaining Your Septic Tank
Septic tanks are only designed to break down and store water, human waste, and toilet paper. It is never a good idea to flush anything else down the toilet. Furthermore, crystallized or otherwise non-liquid dish and laundry detergents should be avoided. Food, diapers, or chemicals outside of common detergents should never find their way to the tank.
Septic tanks, once properly understood, are easy to maintain when following a few simple rules. Regular maintenance will ensure the continued longevity of your tank.