Creating a Beautiful Outdoor Space

Tips To Be A Responsible Septic System Owner

30 September 2019 by Delores Chavez

With a septic system in place on your property, you have your own personal sewage treatment system and you won't rely upon the city sewer and have to pay its fees. But, as a septic system owner you need to know a bit about the system, how it works, and what steps you need to take to keep it working as it should. Here are some tips to help you begin to be a responsible property and septic system owner.

Determine and Keep a Pumping Schedule

When you buy a home on a septic system or install a new septic system on your property, the system is going to work as it should and separate the scum from the solids and drain the water from the middle. However, you cannot ignore the system as time passes, because it will need to be pumped on a regular basis. The reason for this is because the layer of solids will begin to build up, despite keeping healthy bacteria in your system to break it down.

Depending on how large your septic tank is and how much wastewater your household creates, you should set up a basic pumping schedule, such as every three to five years. Talk to your septic professional about a recommended service schedule. Also, plan to have your tank levels checked once a year to help you maintain a healthy pumping schedule.

Manage Drainage Runoff

It is a good idea to watch your home's water usage, especially if you have guests staying with you or additional wastewater entering your septic system from extra loads of wash, for example. But it is especially important to watch your water usage flowing into your septic system during heavy rainstorms. 

Heavy rainstorms can add extra water into the soil around your septic drain fields, saturating and causing water to pond in your yard above the drain field. This can cause the septic water to back up and overflow your system leading to sewage backing up into your home and a hazardous situation in your yard where the drain field is located.

To help prevent this from occurring during a heavy rainstorm, be prepared by keeping your tank maintained and pumped. Then, if a heavy rainstorm is expected, watch and minimize your water usage. You can also prepare by checking the outside of your home to make sure the roof and gutters drain well away from the septic system drain field. 

If you do encounter a backup from heavy rain, stop your water usage while you wait for the water to disperse in your yard. You can also call a septic professional to pump water from your system.

For more information, contact a septic tank maintenance service.

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