Four Tips to Extend the Life of Your Septic System
Many homeowners stress about maintaining their septic tank. However, there is no reason to stress over this reason.
Generally, maintenance is easy. You need correct information. That’s why at Ecocentury we share some rules to prevent a septic tank from going bad.
Here are four ways you can extend the life of your septic system.
1. Know the details of your system
Know where it is, how many gallons the tank holds, and when was the last time it was pumped. If you have the original plans, permits and maintenance records, you have extra points, but if you don’t have them, fear not. It is not very difficult to start. You can often obtain the original permits from the appropriate institution. In addition, they will be able to provide you with the answers to the first two questions.
When was the last one that was pumped? This you know or not. If not, the tank will have to be opened so that the filth can be measured and how much is left to be pumped.
2. Follow the schedule
Your individual septic tank cleaning schedule is based on factors that are not identical from system to system. There are helpful charts that tell you, based on the number of people living in your home and the size of the tank, how often to pump.
Set a reminder for the next time you need to clean. Then make sure to schedule the pumping and don’t be careless with this. Keep in mind that using a garbage disposal will add solids to the septic tank and increase the frequency you need to pump it by 50%. So if you use a food disposer too often, stop doing it or schedule cleaning twice as often.
3. Locate the well in an accessible place
By far, this is one of the most confusing things to understand about the septic system. The septic tank that is being pumped is buried on your property. After installation, it often remains out of sight and out of mind.
However, one of the best things you can do is install standpipes to bring the lid to the surface. The most obvious and critical reason to do so is that the pump truck needs to be exposed so you can clean the tank for maintenance. If you’ve ever had to lift the lid or pay a company to do it, you don’t have to do it again.
4. Check the standards of elements near the septic system
There are standards related to landscaping or items that can be installed near the septic tank. This may sound like bureaucratic nonsense, but in reality these rules are made to preserve the structural integrity and service life of the septic tank and drain field.
As a basic rule of thumb, shrubs and grasses have short roots and are the only acceptable plants within a three meter radius of the system. The roots will always find the closest source even if they have to go around the drain drain field and go through the tank to get it.
Pools near the system require a barrier to prevent chlorine from entering and killing the septic system. Car access should never be on top of any part of the system, as the weight will break the tank and pipes over time.
It is up to you to ensure that there is nothing that can affect the septic tank.
