Caring for Your Septic System - Do's & Don'ts

The accumulated solids in the bottom of the septic tank should be pumped out every three to five years by a licensed septic tank pumper to prolong the life of your system. Along with regular pumping of your septic tank you must also protect the lateral field. Septic systems must be maintained regularly to continue working properly.

Neglect or abuse of your septic system can cause it to fail. Failing septic systems can:

1. cause a serious health threat to your family and neighbors.
2. degrade the environment, especially lakes, streams and groundwater.
3. reduce the value of your property.
4. be very expensive to repair.
5. put thousands of water supply users at risk if you live in a public water supply watershed and fail to maintain your system.

Be alert to these warning signs of a failing system:

1. Sewage surfacing over the lateral field. (especially after storms)
2. Sewage backups in the house.
3. Lush, green growth over the lateral field.
4. Slow draining toilets or drains.
5. Sewage odors
6. Effluent flowing to ground level from the septic tank.

DO

1. Fix dripping faucets and leaking toilets, no matter how small the leak.
2. Practice water conservation by avoiding long showers, using washing, machines and dishwashers for small or particle loads, letting the water run while brushing your teeth, etc.
3. Compost your garbage or put it into the trash rather than using a garbage disposal or flushing it down the toilet.
   
4. Direct down spouts, gutters, foundation, and surface water away from your system area.
5. Keep records of pumping, repairs and other maintenance.
6. Learn the location of your septic system and drain field. Keep a sketch of it handy for reference should service be required. If your system has a flow diversion valve, (bull valve), learn its location and turn it once every six months. Flow diverters can add many years to the life of the system.
7. Take leftover hazardous household chemicals to your approved collection center for disposal. Use bleach, disinfectants and drain/toilet cleaners sparingly and in accordance with product labels.
8. Call a licensed trained professional when you have any problems.

DON'T

1. Use a garbage disposal for items such as coffee grounds, bones, egg shells, etc.
2. Allow anyone to drive or park over any part of the system. The area over the lateral field should be left undisturbed with only a mowed grass cover. Roots from nearby trees or shrubs may clog and damage the lateral trenches.
3. Use commercial septic tank additives. These product usually do not help and some may hurt your system in the long run.
4. Flush sanitary napkins, tampons, condoms, diapers or other non biodegradable objects into the system.
5. Dump solvents, oils, paints, thinners, disinfectants, pesticides, poisons or grease into your system either down a drain or directly into the septic tank. These and similar items can poison the septic system and the groundwater. These solvents can kill the beneficial bacteria that treat your wastewater.
6. Dig into your drain field or build anything over it, or allow repairs to be made to your system without contacting your local health department. Employ trained and licensed contractors when needed.

CALCULATE THE PUMPING SCHEDULE FOR YOUR SEPTIC TANK
Maintaining your septic tank is a key component in insuring many years of trouble free service from your septic system. Failure to have the septic tank pumped out on a regular basis may lead to sludge escaping the tank and clogging up the lateral field as well as the soil.

HOW OFTEN YOU NEED TO PUMP THE SOLIDS OUT OF YOUR SEPTIC TANK DEPENDS UPON THREE MAJOR FACTORS:

1. SIZE OR CAPACITY OF TANK
   If more people are now living in the home than when the system was installed, then the amount of water generated may exceed the capacity the system was originally designed for. Currently the size of the septic tank is based upon the number of bedrooms in the structure and whether or not the structure will contain a garbage disposal.
2. AMOUNT OF WASTEWATER ENTERING THE SYSTEM
   The amount of wastewater flowing into the system may be checked by referencing water bills to figure the average daily waste flow. Current sizing of onsite sewage disposal systems in Kentucky is based on a rate of 120 gallons per day/ per bedroom. Therefore, a three bedroom structure would have a total daily waste flow of 360 gallons.
3. VOLUME OF SOLIDS IN THE WASTEWATER
   The third factor is related to the volume of solids in the wastewater. If you have a garbage disposal, for example, you will need to pump the tank more often. Also flushing non-biodegradable objects into the tank will increase the frequency of pumping the tank.

Note: If your onsite system contains an aerobic tank there may be a maintenance schedule to follow so as not to void the warrantee. These maintenance schedules should be followed exactly to insure proper performance of these types of units.

Other Topics:
Sewage Protection Program | Septic Tank Additives Danger in Disguise | Corrective Action for a Failing Septic System | Check List for Evaluating Your Septic System | Installation, Repairs & Service Maintenance | General Septic Problems | Health Departments - Friends not Foes

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