Your septic system is responsible for removing waste safely from your home. It plays a crucial role in keeping your home and your family safe and sanitary, but it’s all too easy to take it for granted. After all, most people don’t give a second thought to what goes down their drains or what gets flushed down their toilets. Once it’s flushed away, it’s out of sight and out of mind.
You might think that your septic system is reliable enough, but the EPA reports that up to 18% of septic systems fail nationwide. If you don’t want that to happen on your property, keep these tips in mind.
1. Pump Your Septic Tank Regularly
One of the best ways to prevent your septic system from failing is to have your septic tank pumped regularly. As a rule, you should have your septic tank pumped once every three to five years. This depends on factors such as the size of your household, your water usage, and your tank size.
If you’re not sure how often to have your septic tank pumped, schedule an inspection once a year. A septic system specialist will be able to tell you when it’s time to pump your tank. You should also look for signs of a full septic tank such as slow drains, foul smells coming from your sinks and bathtub, and gurgling noises in your pipes.
2. Be Careful What You Flush
As a rule, you should only flush toilet paper and human waste down your toilet. Anything else can clog your pipes and damage your septic system over time. This includes “flushable” sanitary products; throw them in the trash instead.
3. Conserve Water
All the water that goes down your drains goes through your septic system. Modest amounts of water obviously won’t damage your system, but too much can put it under a lot of strain and shorten its lifespan. If you want to prevent that from happening, take some steps to conserve water in your home. Take shorter showers, install low-flow toilets, and be aware of how much water you use when washing, cooking, or watering your lawn.
4. Maintain Your Drain Field
The drain field or leach field is the grassy area around your septic tank where wastewater is dispersed into the ground. Many homeowners see it as just another part of their yard, but it’s an important element of your septic system that needs to be properly maintained. Remove trash from the field, avoid planting bushes and trees, and do not park vehicles on it.
For more information about taking care of your septic system or to schedule maintenance and repairs for your Fayetteville, NC home, contact Marshall Cummings Septic Tank Service. We’ll be happy to answer any questions you might have.
