Prolonging the Life of Your Septic System & Septic Tank Care

Septic Tank Care & Prolonging the Life of Your Septic System

1. Inspect Your Pump Frequently

Septic systems are made up of many different parts from pumps to filters to drain fields. Also, all of those parts are under the ground taking away your ability to “keep an eye” on them.

One of the most significant parts of proper septic tank care and taking care of your septic system is having a professional inspect your system regularly. Now, we aren’t talking every month. However, once a year or every other year at least!

The frequency in which a septic tank should be inspected and pumped depends on four major factors:

• Septic tank size
• The amount of solids/sludge
• Total wastewater accumulated
• Household size

If you are unsure of when your septic tank was last inspected, please give us a call at (352) 242-6100 to schedule an appointment with our licensed staff.

2. Use Water Efficiently

A typical single-family home uses nearly 70 gallons per user each day. Also, the average household leaks account for almost 10,000 gallons of wasted water a year.

For households with septic systems, all of this water goes straight to your septic tank. That means the more water you conserve, the less water your system needs to process.

Using water efficiently also improves the functionality of your septic system and reduces the chance of failure.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), here are some home updates that help use water more efficiently in your home.

• High-efficiency toilets – Toilets account for 25-30% of household water use. Many older homes have older toilets that 3.5 – 5-gallon reservoirs, while newer models provide more efficient 1.6 (or less) tanks. If you have an older toilet, make the switch to a newer model.
• High-efficiency faucet aerators and shower heads – Newer faucet aerators, shower flow restrictors, and shower heads all help to reduce the volume of water that enters your septic system.
• Washing machines – Washing moderate loads of laundry is an efficient water use habit you can start using to care for your septic tank. Also, try to spread out your laundry days throughout the week instead of doing it all in one day.

Not ready to upgrade your appliances? There are plenty of things you can do to save water with your current appliances and system.

3. Dispose of Products Properly

Whether you dispose of waste in the garbage disposal, down the sink, or in the toilet, it will all end up in your septic tank. Therefore, what goes down the drain ultimately affects how long your septic tank will last.

Remember never to flush:

• Dental floss
• Condoms
• Cat litter
• Paper towels
• Coffee grounds
• Cigarette butts
• Diapers
• Non-flushable wipes, such as wet wipes and baby wipes
• Cooking oil or grease
• Feminine hygiene products
• Household chemicals, such as paint thinners, oil, septic, pesticides, etc

4. Maintain your Drainfield

Prolonging the life your septic system goes beyond septic tank care.

Your drainfield is a component of your septic tank system that removes contaminants from liquids that are emitted from your tank. Being an essential part of your septic tank system, here are a few things you should do to keep it in working order:

• Planting – Plant trees or plants at an appropriate distance from your drainfield, so the roots don’t damage the system.
• Parking – Never drive or park on your drainfield.
• Placement – Keep sump pumps, roof drains, and other drainage systems away from your drainfield. Excess water in your drainfield area can stop or slow down the wastewater treatment process.

If you are having issues with your septic tank, have questions about proper septic tank care, or if it’s time for an inspection from one of our licensed professionals, give us a call today at (352) 242-6100.