How to Care for a Septic System
Understand your septic tank., Conserve water., Keep heavy things away from the tank., Don’t flush or pour non-biodegradables and chemicals down the drain., Avoid garbage disposals., Put a liter of spoiled buttermilk down the toilet and flush it once...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Understand your septic tank.
In a septic tank, solid waste settles to the bottom and scum rises to the top.
Excess liquid goes out to the drain field, either by gravity or with a septic pump.
If the system has a filter (typically located in the outlet tee) learn how to clean and care for it.
If a pump system with alarm, periodically test the alarm for function.
Bacteria break down solids in the tank but they need to be pumped out periodically. -
Step 2: Conserve water.
Your septic tank can handle only so much water at a time.
The tank needs time to separate the solids and liquids and send the liquids to the drain field.
Check for running toilets and leaky faucets.
Consider installing low flow or high efficiency toilets.
Choose the right load size when doing laundry.
Washing a small load on the large load setting wastes water.
Spread out laundry days.
Instead of doing all laundry on one day, spread it out to allow time for the septic tank to recover. , Do not put anything heavy on the ground over your tank or drain field, such as a shed, parked car or RV, cement, asphalt, or above ground pool.
These can damage the tank and pipes, compromise the effectiveness of the drain field, and are in violation of laws in most jurisdictions. , These can clog the tank and drain field; chemicals can kill bacteria that help break down solids.
Dental floss Feminine hygiene products Diapers Cigarette butts Cat litter Kleenex Cotton swabs Coffee grounds Paper towels Condoms Household chemicals Gasoline Grease (no bacon fat, no oils, etc.) Paint Bleach. , If you have a septic tank, don’t install a garbage disposal.
Use a garbage disposal sparingly.
It can clog the drain field and leads to more waste water.
Using a garbage disposal means more frequent pumping of the septic tank, ideally every year. , Great bacteria!, Use septic-safe toilet paper and septic-safe pre-moistened cloths.
Flush "RID" (in toilet) every few months. , Keep it clear of roots; the roots of trees can damage pipes and the tank.
Be especially careful of trees with aggressive roots such as willow trees.
If the leach field is near rain fall-off from the roof, install gutters to divert water away from the drain field. , Pumping the septic tank costs around $200-$300 but can vary by region.
Cost will be higher if digging to locate the tank is required.
How often to pump depends on the size of the tank and number of people in the household.
Average is about every 1-5 years.
Garbage disposal use increases the frequency for pumping needs.
For a 1,000 gallon (3,785.4 L) tank providing service to four people in a household with no garbage disposal, pumping every 2-3 years is normal.
With only 2 people in the household, 4-5 years.
When having the tank pumped, consider having it inspected it to make sure it’s in good working order. , Surprise: one could carpet a living room with the amount of tiny non-biodegradable fibers entering a septic system each year. -
Step 3: Keep heavy things away from the tank.
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Step 4: Don’t flush or pour non-biodegradables and chemicals down the drain.
-
Step 5: Avoid garbage disposals.
-
Step 6: Put a liter of spoiled buttermilk down the toilet and flush it once every few months.
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Step 7: Use septic-safe products: Use environmentally safe soaps as much as possible (dish or hand soap).
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Step 8: Provide good maintenance around the tank: Cut down all large trees and shrubs near tank and drain (leach field).
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Step 9: Get the tank pumped.
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Step 10: After minimizing the amount of grey water (wash water) that enters the system
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Step 11: filter all washing machine water with a high tech washing machine lint trap filter.
Detailed Guide
In a septic tank, solid waste settles to the bottom and scum rises to the top.
Excess liquid goes out to the drain field, either by gravity or with a septic pump.
If the system has a filter (typically located in the outlet tee) learn how to clean and care for it.
If a pump system with alarm, periodically test the alarm for function.
Bacteria break down solids in the tank but they need to be pumped out periodically.
Your septic tank can handle only so much water at a time.
The tank needs time to separate the solids and liquids and send the liquids to the drain field.
Check for running toilets and leaky faucets.
Consider installing low flow or high efficiency toilets.
Choose the right load size when doing laundry.
Washing a small load on the large load setting wastes water.
Spread out laundry days.
Instead of doing all laundry on one day, spread it out to allow time for the septic tank to recover. , Do not put anything heavy on the ground over your tank or drain field, such as a shed, parked car or RV, cement, asphalt, or above ground pool.
These can damage the tank and pipes, compromise the effectiveness of the drain field, and are in violation of laws in most jurisdictions. , These can clog the tank and drain field; chemicals can kill bacteria that help break down solids.
Dental floss Feminine hygiene products Diapers Cigarette butts Cat litter Kleenex Cotton swabs Coffee grounds Paper towels Condoms Household chemicals Gasoline Grease (no bacon fat, no oils, etc.) Paint Bleach. , If you have a septic tank, don’t install a garbage disposal.
Use a garbage disposal sparingly.
It can clog the drain field and leads to more waste water.
Using a garbage disposal means more frequent pumping of the septic tank, ideally every year. , Great bacteria!, Use septic-safe toilet paper and septic-safe pre-moistened cloths.
Flush "RID" (in toilet) every few months. , Keep it clear of roots; the roots of trees can damage pipes and the tank.
Be especially careful of trees with aggressive roots such as willow trees.
If the leach field is near rain fall-off from the roof, install gutters to divert water away from the drain field. , Pumping the septic tank costs around $200-$300 but can vary by region.
Cost will be higher if digging to locate the tank is required.
How often to pump depends on the size of the tank and number of people in the household.
Average is about every 1-5 years.
Garbage disposal use increases the frequency for pumping needs.
For a 1,000 gallon (3,785.4 L) tank providing service to four people in a household with no garbage disposal, pumping every 2-3 years is normal.
With only 2 people in the household, 4-5 years.
When having the tank pumped, consider having it inspected it to make sure it’s in good working order. , Surprise: one could carpet a living room with the amount of tiny non-biodegradable fibers entering a septic system each year.
About the Author
Cynthia Stokes
Writer and educator with a focus on practical lifestyle knowledge.
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