How to Care for Your Septic System

Keep your septic system healthy with these tips:

Divert Rainwater from the Septic Drainfield

The drainfield is responsible for eliminating the wastewater released from your septic tank. To prevent oversaturation and drainfield failure, ensure the roof drains, sump pumps, and other rainwater drainage systems are directed away from the drainfield. Also, avoid parking or driving vehicles over your drainfield, as it can cause drainage pipes to crack and create leaks.

Pump the Septic Tank Regularly

Regular septic tank pumping is an integral part of keeping your septic system in good working condition. The average household septic tank should be pumped every 3 to 5 years, though the frequency depends on a number of factors, including the size of the tank, household size, the volume of solids in the tank, and more. If your septic tank is not pumped as needed, excessive amounts of sludge and scum can compromise your septic system’s operation and cause many problems. If the sludge is more than a third of the tank depth, make sure you call a professional plumber to inspect your septic tank and have it pumped.

Be Careful About What Goes Down the Drain

Pay attention to what goes down your kitchen sink, bathtub, floor drains, or utility sink. Never wash things like grease, cooking oil, fats, oil-based paints, or flour down the drains. While it might seem that these things will simply wash right down the pipes, they can clog the drainage pipes, disrupt the balance of healthy bacteria in your septic tank, and harm the drainfield.

Don’t Treat Your Toilet Like a Trash Can

Your septic system is designed to break down human waste and toilet paper; not paper towels, baby wipes, personal care products, and other items that could clog and damage your septic system. Your toilet is not meant to be used to dispense all sorts of items that should be disposed of in the trash can. Never flush down feminine products, flushable wipes, cotton balls, diapers, facial tissue, medications, cat litter, condoms, hair, paint, or coffee grounds. These items can clog your toilet and septic system and accumulate in your septic tank, thereby interfering with wastewater drainage.

Contact Trust Rooter for Reliable Sewer Repair Service

If you’ve noticed signs of sewer trouble in your home, do not hesitate to call a dependable plumber to inspect your sewer system and make the necessary repairs. Here at Trust Rooter, we take great pride in providing reliable and cost-effective sewer repair services for homeowners and commercial properties. Our plumbers have the knowledge, experience, and advanced tools to diagnose all kinds of sewer drain problems and perform the necessary repairs. From sewer drain repair to sewer video inspection, hydro-jetting, backflow preventer repair, drain cleaning, and emergency sewer repair services, we do it all.