Your septic system is critical for your home because its purpose is to process all the water from your toilets, showers, and sinks. Because you don’t see your septic parts every day, it can be easy to forget about it until something goes wrong. You may also wonder how often your septic system really needs to be inspected. Let’s break this down.
The Overall Rule
There’s a guideline that all experts agree on, which is that your septic system should be inspected every three years. This inspection frequency applies to many homeowners. Even if it’s running well, a pro might see something that could become a costly problem down the line. For instance, a minor crack that may not be a problem at present can cause leaks, and the soil will get polluted. This is something that can be caught early with regular inspection.
Factors That Affect How Often Your System Needs Inspecting
Your Household Size
The frequency of inspection for your septic will depend on a few factors unique to your home. One consideration is your household size. If you have a big family, you’re presumably using considerably more water than a single person or a couple. The more water you use, the quicker your septic tank fills, making your system have to work much harder. That increased usage may mean that you need to have your system inspected more often than the standard three-year recommendation.
The Age of Your Septic Tank
A second consideration is the age of your septic system. Older systems may have parts that are near the end of their lifespans or more prone to issues like corrosion or blockages. If you have a system that is over 15 or 20 years old, you might want to schedule professional inspections a little more frequently. Think of it as being like an older appliance in your home that may need special care for it to keep running smoothly.
The Type of Septic Tank
The kind of septic system you have could also play a role. Some advanced treatment systems that contain more mechanical parts may require more frequent checks than basic septic tank and drain field systems. This is because these complex systems have more parts that could fail, and there are more chances that something can go wrong.
Skipping regular septic inspections may sound like a simple way to save a little money now, but you can avoid a lot of costly repairs and headaches in the future with a small investment in a routine inspection today. Reach out to the team at Marshall Cummings Septic Tank Service so that we can make sure your septic system is doing its job to ensure your Fayetteville, NC home remains safe.
