Owning a property comes with many challenges, one of it is facing septic tank issues. Yes, septic tank maintenance is every homeowner’s necessity. This is because it is one of the functional elements of a house, and if not appropriately maintained, repairs can sometimes be costly.
Even though all homeowners across the world have septic systems installed, not everyone actually knows where their tank is located, or you can say it is one of the most overlooked components of the house.
If problems reach the extent where an entire system needs replacement, the costs can range beyond your expectations, usually from $3,000 to $10,000. However, with proper maintenance, you can keep it for 25 to 30 years easily.
How to maintain a septic system?
Septic system maintenance is neither a complex nor an expensive job. Upkeep comes down to the following four essential elements which every homeowner can take care off:
- Inspect and Pump Frequently
On an average your septic system should be inspected by a septic tank service professional, at least every two or three years. Factors on which the frequency of septic pumping depends:
- Household size
- Septic tank size
- Total wastewater generated
- Use Water Efficiently
You might have no idea, but an average indoor water use in your home must be nearly 70 gallons per day/individual. A single leak can waste approx 200 gallons of water per day. Efficient water use reduces the risk of septic system failure.
- Properly Dispose of Waste
It does matter how well you flush the waste down the toilet, but ultimately everything you flush goes down and ends up in your septic system. For effective functioning of tank you must drain things carefully.
- Toilets aren’t trash cans!
Many homeowners, especially children consider the septic system as a trash can. Do not flush anything except toilet paper and human waste.
An easy rule of thumb: Never flush
- Condoms
- Dental floss
- Cooking grease or oil
- Photographic solutions
- Non-flushable wipes––baby wipes
- Feminine hygiene products
- Diapers or other wet wipes
- Cigarette butts
- Coffee grounds
- Cat litter
- Paper towels
- Pharmaceuticals
- Household chemicals such as antifreeze, paint thinners, gasoline, oil, and pesticides
5 Benefits of Maintaining Septic Tank
- Help understand bad habits
Have you flushed the wrong product down the toilet? The consequences may begin after some time, but even after you clear your septic tank, this bad habit can persist.
Having your tank regularly cleaned can help you understand your bad habits. The professional septic service providers can even guide you in the right direction to start changing your bad habits before they create further problems.
2. Handle Issues on time
As said above, it can take a while for tank damages to show up. However, when you get regular cleaning services, this can detect some of the major and expensive problems early-on.
3. Prevent Slow Drains
Homeowners believe that slow drains happen due to clogging of hair and debris. While both of these clogs can be the root of frequent draining issues, but a full septic tank can be the culprit. So getting your tank pumped by professionals will keep your drains flowing smoothly.
4. Keep Your Costs Low
If you believe the myth that septic maintenance costs too much, you’re wrong. In actuality, regular maintenance (usually twice a year or as required) will cost you substantially less than malfunctioning of overfilled and malfunctioning tank costs.
5. Your Yard Is Free Of Junk
You might have no idea how harmful your septic tank is, and when it becomes too full, it will begin to bleed out, which can pose a serious health hazard for your loved ones. An exposure to an overfilled tank can lead to diseases like Leptospirosis and Hepatitis A. But regular maintenance keeps you and your family safe.
How to guess your septic tank is full?
The symptoms listed below indicate that your septic tank needs emptying.
1. Pipe Gurgling Sounds
If you start hearing a ghost-like haunting song in your bathroom, it may indicate the tank needs pumping.
2. Trouble Flushing
When you’re unable to flush your waste, it means your septic tank is full– may indicate a clog in the pipes or any other reason.
3. Slow Drains
Almost all homeowners face slow drain issues every few weeks or months. If you notice that the sink of your kitchen, bathroom, and bathtub are not flowing water smoothly, it means the pipes of your septic tank needs emptying.
4. Rotten egg smell
If you have bad odor in your home, it’s a sign that your septic system needs emptying. Sometimes an entirely new tank is an option.
Check for other ongoing issues:
- Are there cracks in the wall?
- Look up at the chimney
- Check the roof if there are signs of broken shingles
- Check the foundation if there are signs of water pooling.
- Is the driveway in the best condition?
- Does exterior paint look nice?
Inside Your Home
- Check if your HVAC system is working properly.
- Check smoke and fire detectors
- Check the plumbing, if pipes need repair or replacement.
Why should you hire professionals?
Many homeowners are unaware of the septic system clearance steps but they do regular pumping which maintain their septic system for a while.
However, in extreme cases, they should consider hiring professional septic tank service providers to ensure the health and longevity of their tanks. Not only experts help you preserve your system, but this service also maintains each customer records accurately.
What do they do?
- Quick Diagnoses of the Problem
- Drain Field Examination
- Septic Tank Pumping
- Drain Field Maintenance
- Creating a New Drain Field
- They take care of your safety
- The team follows all safety precautions while emptying your septic tank so you need not to worry about getting exposed to dangerous hazards.
Ask for recommendations: Call your neighbors or loved ones to help you in searching the right man.
You can search online: Type “septic tank service nearby” on the search bar, and you will see a lot of providers who’re just a call away.
Check near your area: As we clear before, every homeowner faces septic tank maintenance issues, so there must be its service providers near to your home.
Last words
If you’ve recently bought a home, you must ask the previous owner if they maintain their septic tanks properly or have has maintained a schedule. This information would help you analyze the next date of septic tank clearing.
And if they didn’t maintain any schedule, ask them the date they last emptied the tank. The best advice is to get it emptied straight away!
Diagnosing septic tank problems is not your job. Unfortunately, most homeowners fail to understand the importance of proper drainage system that put them in trouble. Therefore, it is necessary to seek to get experts’ help!
If you think the time has come for your septic system to be cleared out, call professionals now until it’s too late.
Thank you for reading!
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