Are your sinks backing up? Is your shower draining slowly? Are you starting to smell something bad?
Whenever you notice these things, it is usually time to call the plumber.
Depending on what the issue is, plumbing repairs could be a little expensive. And if it turns out that your septic system is breaking down, it could mean breaking the bank.
This is why we should seriously consider septic tank preventive maintenance.
Septic Tank Preventive Maintenance
If you’re not smart in handling your septic tank, it can be quite an expensive problem for you. Without proper septic tank preventative maintenance, you could end up with:
- sludge build-up,
- filter clogs, and
- broken drain lines
The national average cost for a septic tank pumping could go from $295 to $610. At the same time, a replacement can range from $3,500 for a conventional job to a whopping $15,000.
Luckily, there are reliable tactics you can follow to keep your money from going down the drain —literally.
1. Proper Waste Disposal & Better Household Habits
Most problems that require a plumber are avoidable. We could dodge serious septic tank issues by knowing simple dos and don’ts. After all, whatever comes down your drain pipes end up in the septic tank.
Don’t dump used cooking oil and other stuff down your drains. This is a big no-no. Dumping cooking oil, food leftovers, and even coffee grounds can cause problems. Even locks of hair, soap leftovers and other waste debris can form clogs when in large quantities.
This is supposed to be common knowledge —but something most people neglect.
After all…
“It’s just a small amount of oil, right?”
“That was just a bit of ground coffee. What’s the big deal?”
In the end, all these could accumulate and will cost a fortune on repairs.
Keeping this in mind is an important preventative measure you can take every day to keep plumbers away.
Don’t dump cleaning products down your drains. Toilet paper and human waste should be the only thing going down the toilet. This seems pretty obvious, however, parents of toddlers could find this a problem.
Many people also don’t seem to know that you should not pour chemicals down the drain. This includes expired drain cleaning agents, paints, grease, and other toxic products.
These chemicals could destroy the beneficial bacteria in your septic tank. These bacterias act on solid waste and thus are essential for your septic system to work smoothly.
Make sure you are using the right toilet paper. Most toilet paper is safe to use with your septic system. However, it doesn’t hurt to double-check.
Make sure that these paper products are listed as compatible with septic systems. If not, you’ll end up with a clogged pipe.
Poor garbage disposal practices increase your maintenance costs. It could cause lots of plumbing issues and even untimely septic tank pumping.
2. Use Water Efficiently
The less water you use, the longer it takes to fill up your septic tank. Wouldn’t it make sense to save up water and filling up your septic tank too early?
This doesn’t mean you should flush less (gross!). This only means to conserve water since wastewaters navigate through your drainage system. It collects sediments along the pipework and settles in your septic tank.
Each person uses an average of 70 gallons of water daily. And a running toilet can drain up as much as 200 gallons of water —a day!
The good thing is that saving water is not only good for septic tank preventive maintenance. It will also save you some money on your monthly water bill.
3. Pay Attention
It is important to keep an eye out for potential issues. This does not only apply to your septic tank but to everything else in your home.
Take your carpet, for example. You should check your carpet for stains, dirt, or furniture dents so you can address them right away with carpet care and maintenance.
This should be the same for your septic tank.
For example, you should check for trees or shrubs that grow too close to your system. They could force into the pipes and clog them.
Therefore, pay attention to minor problems and warning signs early on.
- Is there a stink in your bathroom even when it wasn’t recently used?
- Do you notice slow drainage around your home?
- Do you hear odd gurgling sounds when the water goes down?
Keeping an eye out for potential problems is important. And waiting for the worst-case scenario to occur is a sure way to burn money.
4. Routine Inspection And Pumping
Septic tanks should be regularly inspected. Inspection, as well as pumping, can be done every three to four years.
Conduct regular pumping. If not properly pumped every few years, waste materials and paper could overflow. This is something you don’t want to see.
A full septic tank can cause blockages and a decrease in system efficacy. It could even result in an expensive repair or even replacement of your septic tank’s drain field.
Have general inspections
What must be done:
- Make sure that your water levels remain at a safe level
- Check for cracks or damages
- Keep leach field safe and sanitary at all times
Yes, it sounds like a lot. This is why you should only call the professional for routine pumpings and inspections. Of course, you should make sure that the people you hire are experts who will never take shortcuts.
Benefits of a well-kept septic tank
Having a well-maintained septic tank has lots of benefits for you. Of course, saving money on repairs is great. But it’s more than that.
Maintaining your septic tank protects the environment, keeps you and your neighbors safe, increases your septic tank’s lifespan, and even adds value to your property.
Final Thoughts: Septic Tank Preventive Maintenance
Thanks for reading until the end of our article about septic tank preventive maintenance.
Routine preventative maintenance on your septic systems serves to bring down costly visits from plumbers.
It’s crucial to understand septic systems for you to establish preventative measures.
What was the worst thing that happened to your septic system? Let us know in the comments below.
