Don’t risk serious plumbing problems by postponing your septic tank service
All septic tanks need periodic service and maintenance, including pump-outs. It is very important to keep a close eye on your septic tank’s performance and condition in order to avoid issues that could result in a tank overflow into your yard or even a sewage backup into your home.
Unfortunately, there is no set formula for determining the amount of time that you can go between pump-outs, because the number of people in your household, the size of your septic tank, the condition of your drain field, and your water usage habits will all play a role in determining how fast your tank fills up. You are much better off being proactive about service by completing these three vital activities now.
Look for Signs of a Problem
Always be on the lookout for possible signs of a septic tank issue, including:
- Sewage odors inside or outside the home
- Blocked drains
- Slow drainage during peak use of household plumbing
- Persistent wet or soggy spots in your lawn
- Exuberant plant growth around your septic tank lid
Call a Professional
Even if you have not noticed any of the above signs of a septic tank problem, you should still call a professional to inspect your tank on a regular basis. A professional inspection is really the only way to tell for certain whether or not your septic tank needs service. When you call The Drain Dudes® we can send someone out right away to measure levels of sludge, water, and scum inside your septic tank. If we detect levels of sludge or scum too close to your inflow and outflow pipes, we can then provide the necessary pump-out service to empty the tank.
Occasionally septic system problems are actually caused by issues with the drain field rather than the tank itself. A professional can help track the problem to its true source and provide an effective repair to remedy the situation.
Change Your Ways
After getting a pump-out or other type of septic tank service, you will naturally want to do everything you can to help make sure problems don’t recur. Here are some tips that should help you go longer between septic tank pump-outs:
- Don’t flush excess toilet paper or things like paper towels, cigarette butts, or diaper wipes
- Use the garbage disposal sparingly
- Try to space out high-water-use activities like showering, doing laundry, and running the dishwasher to avoid overloading the system
- Keep deep-rooted plants off the drain field to prevent damage to your pipes
- Take steps to improve the drainage of your drain field such as detouring rainwater away from it
