The eternal home maintenance question: preventative measures or wait for a problem??
When it comes to septic tanks you are best off educating yourself on how to take care of yours and its unique specs. Self education and simple regular maintenance will go a long way towards avoiding a large stinky expense emergency – trust us, you don’t want one of those. Here are three practical tips to save you money on your home septic system in the long run without overdoing it.
- Regular maintenance > Surprise Expensive Repairs
- Educate yourself and do occasional DIY inspections
- Avoid overuse
- Install a riser
- Consider a maintenance plan
Regular Maintenance to Avoid Emergencies
In this case, regular maintenance means pumping your septic tank every 3 – 5 years. Is that too much to ask? By keeping your tank from getting too full you avoid stinky surprises like sewage backups and drain field overflows. During regular septic pumping you can ask the pump man to do a simple tank inspection, which most will do anyway. Take careful note of any emerging situations like a tree root intruding on the tank, or developing cracks.
Key Point: By taking care to regularly pump and inspect your tank (ideally at the same time!) you will avoid preventable emergencies like tank overflow.
Do-It-Yourself Inspections
We don’t recommend you pull up your septic tank lid, grab your snorkel, and hop in, BUT there are a few simple things to keep an eye out for to ensure your system is acting as expected. By staying vigilant you will keep preventable emergencies from occurring. A basic understanding of and education on septic tank warning signs is a must for every home owner. However, it is not a replacement for a professional inspection (they won’t use a snorkel either)! Here are a few things to keep an eye out for:
- First and foremost: you should know where your tank is, where the access is, and where the drain field is. This information can usually be obtained from important documents related to your property, like an inspection before purchasing the house.
- Unpleasant smells around the septic tank or drain field could indicate a problem. If you notice unusual odors, it’s important to have the system inspected as soon as possible.
- Standing water near the drain field could signal a blocked or malfunctioning system. This is often a sign that the soil is saturated, and the wastewater is not being properly filtered.
- An especially fertilized, green, and happy looking drain field can indicate tank overflow of tasty nutrients (for plants).
- If drains are starting to slow down or you’re experiencing backups in your sinks, toilets, or bathtubs, it may be time to call a professional. Slow drainage often indicates that your septic tank is full or there’s a blockage in the pipes.
Understanding the location of your septic system, symptoms of a tank issue, and doing regular visual checks allows you to catch potential problems early and take action before they require expensive intervention.
Avoid Overusing Your Septic System
All septic systems are built for a specific use load. When a builder pulls a permit for a residential septic system, it specifies how many bedrooms the tank can handle. If your household is especially full (family visiting, tons of kids, etc) you should be warry of overusing toilets and showers. Be mindful of how much you are using water intensive appliances within a short period of time (laundry, leaks, dishwasher, sinks, toilets, showers, etc).
Additionally, toxic chemicals and non-biodegradable items can cause serious issues for certain types of systems. Avoid flushing anything that is biodegradable and small down the toilet. Limit toxic chemicals which may interfere with the septic tank ecosystem that is breaking down your waste.
Install a Septic Tank Riser for Easy Access
Some septic tanks are buried especially deep making it hard to access and remember where the lid is. A riser is a structure that brings the septic tank lid to ground level and makes it much easier to service the tank. This is one of those things where you have to evaluate the cost-benefit case by case. For some people it is a must, and in other situations it is a unnecessary expense.
Consider a Maintenance Plan
Many septic service providers offer maintenance plans that include regular inspections, pumping, and other essential services at a discounted rate. These plans can help you budget for septic tank services and ensure that your system is well-maintained year-round. The benefits of a plan are:
- Putting the responsibility of remembering when your tank needs pump onto a professional
- Having a professional on call in case of emergency
- Discounts on long-term plans
A basic maintenance plan for you septic system should include a schedule for regular pumping and inspections at a minimum.
Conclusion
Maintaining your septic system doesn’t have to break the bank – and it certainly shouldn’t require something breaking before you start paying attention. By educating yourself on your system and basic warning signs to look for you will already be doing better than many. Regular pumping and inspections are a no-brainer and should be done at minimum every 3- 5 years, and in many cases sooner. Depending on your situation it may make sense to install a riser and sign a long-term maintenance plan to ensure your system is watched out for. Remember, the worst kind of surprise is a shitty one.