Maintenance Tips To Extend The Life Of Your Septic Tank

Maintenance Tips To Extend The Life Of Your Septic Tank

Replacing a septic tank costs thousands, sometimes tens of thousands, of dollars. Therefore, the longer you can keep your current septic tank running, the better.

Know the basics - Knowing things like where your tank is located, how many gallons it can hold, and when it was pumped last can all help you in creating a schedule and plan for keeping your tank in top shape.

Keep to a schedule - Most septic tanks need to be dumped every 3-5 years. This number will fluctuate depending on how many people are living in your household as well as the size of your tank. While it is not recommended to flush food into a septic tank, keep in mind that using a garbage disposal it add solids to your tank which will increase the frequency in which your tank needs to be dumped. Set scheduled reminders for yourself so you don’t forget to dump the tank every few years.

Watch your water usage - Using too much water can cause your system to overwork or flood. Fixing leaks, turning off faucets when brushing your teeth, and only running full loads of laundry and dishes will help keep your water usage to a minimum. Speaking of flooding the system, make sure that drain water (downspouts, house footing drains, sump pumps, etc) is steered away from your tanks drain field so that only your sewer water is reaching the tank.

Watch what you flush - the only things that should be flushed into your septic tank are water, waste and toilet paper. Things such as diapers, tampons, food and hair can clog and bust your pipes.

Careful with your landscaping - In order to increase your tank’s lifespan, regulations have been implemented regarding how close your landscaping can be to your tank. Plant roots are drawn to water sources and will break open your tank if they are planted in close proximity. Barriers are required around pools to avoid any chlorine from spilling into your tank. Driveways should never be built over septic tanks as the weight will crush the tank (so be aware of where your tank is placed so if the need ever arises to have cars parked in your yard you are aware where they shouldn’t be parking).

Inspect annually - Keeping up with regular checks of your septic system will allow you to identify problems early on while they are still fixable and less costly than a full tank replacement. A beneficial idea in aiding with inspections as well as tank dumps is to install risers for your system’s lid. It costs money every time a system has to be located and dug up but the risers are a one time cost that will make the system easily accessible for the pumper truck.

If your plumbing needs to be repaired, contact ASAP Plumbing today at 228-865-2727 or visit www.plumbinggultportms.com and request a free estimate! We can handle all your plumbing needs including installation, repair and full water heater replacement.

If your plumbing needs to be repaired, contact ASAP Plumbing today at 228-865-2727 or visit www.plumbinggulfportms.com and request a free estimate! We can handle all your plumbing needs including installation, repair, and full water heater replacement.