Your septic tank plays a vital role in maintaining the health and hygiene of your home by treating and disposing of wastewater. And like any complex mission critical system, your septic tank requires proper care and attention to ensure it continues to function effectively. Regular inspections will limit controllable nasty surprises and reduce the risk of a costly repair. Neglecting your septic tank can lead to a host of problems, system failure, and environmental contamination.

What is Septic System Maintenance?

Septic Tank maintenance includes pumping, cleaning, treating, and inspecting the tank and drain field. Most important of these is pumping, which is the process of removing sludge, scum, and excess wastewater in your septic tank using a large suction tube and truck. Often septic tank pumping will include a basic inspection of the drain field and tank for any visible issues.

Why Regular Inspections Are Crucial

Regular inspections are critical to prevent small problems from become massive deuces. That crack? Yeah, you want to deal with that before your tank splits, sludge starts leaching into the ground where it shouldn’t, and the EPA starts suing you. That sounds dramatic because it is, but seriously, early detection of cracks, roots creeping in, blockages, and other possible issues can save thousands in the long run.

Septic tanks are a long term investment that is a key piece of modern living standards, and should be treated as such. Inspections are affordable, need happen only every 3 – 5 years, and can often be paired with routine pumping services. Early detection of problems will prevent critical system failures, protect the environment, and increase your septic systems lifespan

What Happens During a Septic Tank Inspection?

A septic tank inspection typically involves a thorough examination of the system to ensure it is functioning properly. Here’s what you can expect during an inspection:

1. Visual Inspection
   • The inspector will visually assess the condition of the septic tank, including checking for any obvious signs of damage, wear, or leaks. They will also check the surrounding area for any signs of pooling water or foul odors, which could indicate a problem.
2. Measuring Sludge and Scum Levels
   • The inspector will measure the levels of sludge and scum in the tank to determine whether it’s time for a pump-out. If the sludge and scum levels are too high, it could cause blockages and reduce the tank’s ability to process waste efficiently.
3. Checking the Drain Field
   • The drain field, or leach field, is responsible for filtering wastewater after it leaves the septic tank. During the inspection, the inspector will check for any signs of blockages or damage in the drain field, such as wet spots, soggy soil, or foul odors.
4. System Functionality Check
   • The inspector will also check the functionality of the system’s components, such as the pipes, filters, and alarms (if applicable). Any worn or damaged parts will be noted, and recommendations for repairs or replacements will be provided.

How Often Should You Have Your Septic Tank Inspected?

Inspect your system every 3 – 5 years. If you have a large household, old system, poorly sized tank (too small for household), or knowledge of issues that could potentially be exacerbated you should have your system inspected by a qualified professional more frequently.

Other Septic Tank Maintenance Tips

• Cardinal rule number 1: Pump your tank regularly.
• Don’t overload your system. Be mindful of water use when having guest or family over and avoid running multiple water intensive items at the same time.
• Know what to flush. Don’t put diapers, tampons, garbage, oils, chemicals or anything that isn’t human waste/ toilet paper into the system unless directed to by a professional.
• Protect your drain field by keeping it clear of shrubs, trees, and vegetation other than grass. These things can cause poor drainage and lead to roots infiltrating the system.

Conclusion

Regularly inspecting your septic tank to catch small things early is a prudent thing for every homeowner to do. Routine inspections can be done when the tank gets pumped, or at another time for a modest cost. You definitely don’t want to wait to inspect your tank until something goes wrong – by then it is probably too late and you may be looking at a five figure repair job or even worse, new system. Get inspections regularly so that the sneaky root, poor drainage, or something else can be handled quickly and not fester into a catastrophe.