With temperatures heating up, it’s time to start thinking about Spring! More importantly, spring cleaning—and your septic system requires attention too. Make sure to add these septic spring cleaning to-dos onto your list this March, April or May.
Why Spring Clean Your Septic System?
April showers may bring May flowers, but they also produce heavy rainfall, flooding and wreak havoc for ill-prepared septic systems.
Septic spring cleaning keeps your system working efficiently. And it’s not just the septic system that needs a good cleaning. It starts with the products you put into the system to the soil and landscaping of the yard.
Septic Spring Cleaning To-Dos
Getting your septic system ready for Spring is not a one-and-done task. It takes a bit of time, but the payoff is worth the effort.
1. Change Your Septic Filter
A requirement in Florida, filters increase your system’s longevity and drainfield efficiency. But, they need changing over time. With spring bringing the potential of an overloaded drainfield, set your system up for success by cleaning or changing out the used effluent filter with a fresh one.
2. Schedule an Inspection or Septic Tank Pump Out
While not necessary every year, if your system is in need or close to due, before spring is the way to go.
An overloaded septic tank loses its ability to separate wastewater and solid waste, pushing solid material into the drainfield. This causes clogging and backups—two dreaded words for septic system owners.
So, when is the right time? On average, septic tanks require pump-outs every three to five years when the capacity reaches 30% – 50%.
3. Tidy Up Your Yard
With colder temperatures and less sunlight, motivating yourself for yard work isn’t easy—and that’s okay. But, with heavy rains on the horizon, the time for motivation is now.
Grab a few trash bags and clear your yard and landscape surrounding the septic tank and drainfield of debris. Debris-ridden yards cause pooling of water which leads to the disruption of the natural filtering ability of soil required to treat the wastewater.
4. Clean Out Gutters and Storm Drains
Clogged storm drains full of leaves, sticks, and sediment prevents rainwater from draining. Unfortunately, this means it is pooling in your yard. Make scheduling an afternoon or weekend day dedicated to cleaning out your gutters and storm drains a priority.
5. Remove Non-Septic Safe Cleaning Products
Small to tiny amounts of unsuitable cleaning products deal a lot of damage to your septic tank and system. That’s because microscopic, natural bacteria do most of the work in your septic tank.
Give them a fighting chance this Spring and remove all unsafe cleaning products. Not sure where to start? Toss the chlorine bleach! Luckily, there are plenty of natural and septic safe cleaning product replacements.
Keep your septic tank happy this rainy season by setting it up for success with these septic spring cleaning to-dos. Feeling overwhelmed with all the cleaning you need to do? Let Advanced Septic System give your system a once-over so we can tell you exactly what needs cleaning.