How to Maintain Your Septic Tank

By properly maintaining your septic tank, it will continue to function adequately for many years. Replacing a septic tank is expensive and a faulty system can cause many plumbing problems in your home. If you follow a few basic principles and learn how to maintain your septic tank, it will save you money and headaches in the long run.

• Avoid planting trees too close to the septic field because roots can get into the pipes and clog them up.


• Hire a professional septic tank cleaning service every two to five years to pump out your septic tank.


• Redirect runoff water from driveways and roofs away from the drain field to avoid saturating the area with excess water.


• Hire a septic tank inspector to examine your tank once every three years.  


• Use biodegradable toilet paper and do not flush paper towels, facial tissue, cat litter, cigarette butts, diapers or feminine products down the toilet. 


• Avoid using an excessive amount of household cleaners and bleach inside the home. Overuse of hazardous and toxic chemicals can damage the septic tank.


• Refrain from pouring coffee grounds, grease or oil into your household drains. These substances can build up and clog the septic tank pipes.


• Run the washing machine at daily intervals instead of using it consistently for hours at a time. Using an excessive amount of water in a short period can overload the septic tank system, impede the treatment process and cause the household fixtures to back up. 


• Avoid driving vehicles over the infiltration area and do not build sheds or other structures at this location. The compressed soil can crack the septic tank pipes and damage the septic tank.