Septic Tank Care Tips and Best Practices

Some homes are connected to municipal sewers, and some are not. How do homes that are not connected to municipal sewers get rid of wastewater, then? That is where the septic tank becomes useful. It is an underground wastewater treatment system that collects, separates, and breaks down the wastewater before it goes into the drainfield.

The importance of a septic tank is easy to guess. If the septic tank is not taken care of, the system can get clogged, overflow, and contaminate the groundwater. Don’t forget the repair expenses that will follow. To ensure the septic tank does its job well, maintenance is important. How do you maintain a septic system? 

Read on as Dr. Pooper explores the tips and tricks for maintaining a septic system. We will also discuss the different components of the system, the right time for maintenance, and seasonal care.

Understanding the Components of Your Septic System

Before you get started with tips on maintaining a septic tank, it is good to have an idea of the different elements of the system and how they work.

A septic system typically has four key components:

• A pipe connecting the home to the system

• A septic tank to hold and separate the waste solids from the water

• A drainfield or leachfield, where the (partially treated) water from the tank is discharged for further treatment 

• The soil where the water from the drainfield is discharged undergoes the final treatment by removing harmful viruses, bacteria, and nutrients

How does it all work? The pipe transfers the wastewater from the household to the septic tank. This is where the first treatment happens. The solids settle and turn into a sludge while the oil and grease separate from the water and float to the surface of the water. The solids are also partially decomposed. From here, only the separated water goes into the drainfield. The partially treated water pushes through the drainfield for further treatment. 

The drainfield is commonly made with trenches of perforated pipe surrounded by rock or gravel, and covered with mesh and dirt to treat the water. Next, the water flows into the soil, and the harmful viruses, bacteria, and nutrients are removed, keeping septic system healthy. 

So, taking care of septic systems means considering all these elements.

Signs Your Septic Tank Needs Attention

The first step of septic tank care is knowing when your septic tank needs your attention.

Here are the major signs that indicate it’s time for septic system maintenance:

• Foul Smell around the House

Is a bad, sewage-like odour around the house disturbing you for some days? You may need to think about septic tank upkeep. This smell can mean that the septic tank is either full or failing. When the untreated wastewater starts backing up in the system and seeping into the yard, that sewage-like odour builds up.

• Slow-Draining

When the sinks, showers, or toilets drain more slowly than usual, it can be irritating. But that’s not the only problem. This can also indicate a septic system issue, like the pipes being clogged or the tank reaching its capacity. Use Dr. Pooper’s Septic Cleaner or go for a septic tank cleaning as soon as possible because the problem can get bigger, and the entire septic system can start to fail.

• Water Pooling in Your Yard

If you see water collecting in your yard without even a single cloud in the sky, this means the water from the tank is overflowing or the drainfield is malfunctioning. And you need to go through your septic tank cleaning guide.

• Unusual Lush Grass Over the Septic System

A green lawn is the dream for many, but a patch of green grass out of nowhere can be a signal for an issue with the septic system. Basically, untreated water escapes the system and fertilizes the area for grass. 

• Sewage Backing Up Inside Your Home

Sewage backing up inside your home is one sight nobody ever wishes to see. But if it does happen, know that the septic system needs a checkup.

Regular Maintenance Tips for Your Septic Tank 

How do you maintain a septic system? Easy - with regular inspections and mindful efforts.

Here’s your guide on how to maintain a septic system with all the dos and don’ts.

• Pump Regularly

Obviously, the septic system is not something you think about every day, but that doesn’t mean you should neglect septic maintenance. Typically, a household septic tank should be pumped every three years. Systems with electrical or mechanical components must be inspected more often, like once a year.

• Be Mindful of What Goes Down the Drain

It might sound convenient, but not everything is meant to be flushed. Maintaining a septic tank should include knowing what you cannot flush in the toilets and what should not go down the drain, which are:

• Cooking grease or oil

• Non-flushable wipes, like baby wipes or other wet wipes

• Diapers

• Paper towels

• Photographic solutions

• Feminine hygiene products

• Dental floss

• Coffee grounds

• Cigarette butts

• Cat litter

• Pharmaceuticals

• Household chemicals like gasoline, pesticides, antifreeze, paint, or paint thinners

• Use Water Efficiently

All the water you use goes into the septic tank. The more water you use, the more water goes into the tank. You obviously can use water as needed, but make sure to be mindful of the system’s capacity to properly maintain a septic system.

• Maintain Your Drainfield

Here are your tips for septic drain field maintenance:

• Do not drive or park over your drainfield.

• When planting trees, keep an appropriate distance from the drainfield so that the growing roots don’t get into the septic system.

• Keep rainwater drainage systems away from your drainfield area, as excess water can slow down or prevent the wastewater treatment process.

• Schedule Professional Checkups

To maintain a septic system, professional checkups are also important. Schedule a professional inspection every few years to stay on top of things.

 Septic System Maintenance Checklist

Keeping up with a simple septic tank maintenance schedule can prevent system failure, backups, and costly repairs. Use this quick-reference septic system care checklist to stay on track.

Following this septic system maintenance checklist helps extend the life of your septic tank and protects your drain field from failure

DIY Septic Care Tips

Need a DIY approach for your septic upkeep? Here you go:

• Keep an Eye on the Tank Performance

The septic tank maintenance tips include tank performance monitoring, which will help you detect problems in the system. What to look for? Slow drains, gurgling sounds, unpleasant odor, and frequent backups.

• Manage Grease and Waste the Right Way

When you wonder how to take care of a septic system, it starts with basic waste management practices around the home. Use drain strainers to catch hair, food scraps, and debris. Avoid garbage disposal to reduce solid buildup in the tank. When cooking, collect oil and grease in sealed containers instead of pouring it down the sink. Also, compost kitchen scraps instead of sending them through a garbage disposal.

• Use Dr. Pooper’s Drainfield Cleaners

If your drainfield is showing signs of failure, such as soggy areas, strong odours, or slow drains, use drainfield cleaner. Flush the drainfield cleaner in the sink or toilet, and it will get the system going. Wondering how to unclog a drain? A drainfield cleaner can help.

You can also opt for a drain cleaner for toilets. They are easy to use and work efficiently. 

Seasonal, Special & Professional Care

When you learn about how to maintain a septic system, consider some special case scenarios, like:

Seasonal Care

• During the rainy season, make sure rainwater isn’t pouring onto your drainfield. Redirect gutters, downspouts, and pump discharge. Too much water in the soil can overwhelm the system and slow everything down.

• In colder regions, a simple grass cover mulch can help keep pipes from freezing. Think of it as giving your septic system a warm winter blanket.

Special Situations

• Hosting guests or doing heavy laundry? Spread out water use instead of doing everything in one day.

• Avoid water rush hours. Back-to-back long showers and multiple loads of laundry can push too much wastewater into the tank at once, disturbing solids and stressing the drainfield.

When to Call a Professional

• Routine check-ins

• Signs of slow drains, gurgling sounds, or backups

• Strong odours inside or outdoors

• Wet, mushy, or unusually green patches over the drainfield

• Sudden plumbing issues that just won’t go away

Conclusion

With the right tips and tricks and check-ins from your end, you won’t have much hassle to maintain a septic system. Regular monitoring will help you understand when your septic tank needs attention. This guide on septic system care will tell you what to do and how.

Need an easy and effective fix to your clogged and failed septic system? Dr. Pooper offers a range of non-toxic products for home septic systems and in-home maintenance. Check out today!

FAQs

1. How often should I pump my septic tank?

You should pump your septic tank once every three years. For systems with electrical and mechanical parts, yearly checkups are needed.

2. What are the signs that my septic tank needs maintenance?

Slow drains, gurgling sounds, foul odour, sewage backing up inside the house, wet or soggy patches above the drainfield, and unusual flushing are signs that the septic tank needs maintenance.

3. Can I flush cleaning products or chemicals down my septic tank?

No, you should not flush cleaning products or chemicals down my septic tank, as they can clog or damage the drains.

4. What should I do if my septic system backs up?

If the septic system backs up, stop water usage. Otherwise, it will flood. Next, you can use septic cleaners to get rid of any clogging. 

5. How can I maintain my septic tank naturally?

Spread out the use of water. Be careful about what you flush. Use organic or enzyme-based treatments.