Installing a septic tank is not the end. It’s just the beginning of an effective treatment of wastewater on your site. However, it’s not an install-and-forget project. Although septic systems are meant to last anywhere between 20 to 30 years, without proper maintenance, the life of these systems can reduce drastically and lead to costly repair or replacement.

Regular inspection and maintenance will help detect problems earlier, which will allow you to fix those issues before they become real problems, such as system failure. This will not only save you replacement costs of thousands of dollars, but you will also have your peace of mind. Here are a few tips to ensure your septic system continues running smoothly for years.

You’ll do well for damages in your septic system if you avail of Optimised Plumbing Services from a trusted provider. Following these tips will make sure your septic tank runs in good health throughout its life.

Pump Your Septic System Regularly

For an average home, you need to pump the septic tank every three to five years. Without regular system pumping, the septic tanks can get overloaded, and the sludge could leach into the drainfield. The drainfiled effluent should be clear of these solids to make sure the system runs smoothly.

Keep All Access Runoff Away from Your Septic Tank

Direct all gutters and drain pipes away from your septic tanks and drain fields. Diverting all access runoff away from your septic tank means that the septic tank will be able to treat the waste and greywater it is meant to treat. If the runoff enters the system, your septic could become overloaded, making the drain field oversaturated, which makes smooth and normal operations difficult for your septic system.

Tightly Seal the Access Lids and Ports

Water can most often seep through poorly sealed lids, causing problems in your septic system. Water flowing into the system will mean the septic system will get overloaded, and your drainfield will be oversaturated. In pressure-type systems, this means that the pump will have to run constantly, leading to an overworking pump and wasting energy and money in the process.

Have Proper Sitemap for Your Septic System

Following a septic tank installation, you must have a proper plot map or site map showing all the septic tank components. Having this map handy will help you in emergency situations. You’ll not have to guess where your septic tank, transport lines, pump tanks, and drainfields are located. If you do not possess a site map, you can have it prepared by a septic designer for you.

Do Not Obstruct the Septic System

Do not cover the septic system components or the drainfield with any Asphalt, concrete, decks, framing, or structures that would prevent you from accessing these areas. Keep your vehicles away from the septic tank, which can put pressure, leading to damage to the pipes and tank. Also, proper draining would be difficult under compacted soil. If you need to access these areas, you’ll face difficulty with these impediments.

Do Not Flush Anything Other than Septage or Toilet Tissues

Take care not to flush anything down your toilet other than septage and toilet tissues. If you introduce unacceptable items down your toilet, they may never decompose and require constant septic tank pumping. Limit the use of drain cleaners and toilet bowls because they harm the friendly bacteria that help decompose the solids in the septic tank. Do not use a sink disposal unit if you are using a septic system. Those units are good at grinding waste foods, but most septic systems are not equipped to deal with undigested solids.

Conclusion

A septic tank requires proper and regular maintenance to ensure it continues running smoothly without failure for years. Inspecting the system regularly, not obstructing the area, and not allowing undigested solids to enter the system are the ways to help the system keep running smoothly. Apart from that, you also need to have a proper sitemap for your septic system so that you can gain access to those easily without any difficulty or guesswork.