Septic Tank Maintenance and Care

If your home has a septic tank, it is your responsibility to maintain it and keep it operating efficiently. We've answered common questions about how a septic tank works, how to maintenance it, and how to keep young children safe around it. There are simple things you can each day to keep your septic working at its best and prolong the necessity of having it pumped.

Do you have a septic tank?

If have recently relocated, and are unsure whether you have a septic system or not, you may be able to tell by simply looking in the yard. If you see lids or manhole covers, chances are they are for a septic tank. If you purchased your home, a septic system should be indicated on the property description. Keep in mind, though, that older septic tanks may be difficult to locate on the property itself. An inspector can help you locate its whereabouts.

What does a septic tank do?

A septic system is virtually a small-scale sewage treatment center located on your property. Waste from the house is transferred underground into a septic tank, through pipes, and into a drainfield. Soil breaks the wastewater down, and solid waste is held inside the tank itself.

Most septic systems are made up of four main components. They include:

Pipe leading from the home - Carries household wastewater away from the home to the septic tank.

Septic tank - The septic tank itself is located underground, and holds the wastewater from the house. It breaks down solid waste to form sludge. Oils and grease in the wastewater float to the top and form scum. These materials are held within the septic system, while water flows on to the drainfield.

Drainfield - When wastewater exits the septic tank, it is then discharged into the drainfield. It is then treated by the soil, and pushed along. When a septic system backs up into the yard or through household plumbing, it is because the drainfield is overloaded.

Soil - The soil found in the septic system works to digest contaminates from the wastewater.

Septic tank maintenance

You, the homeowner, are responsible for having the waste 'pumped' from a professional service when it is needed. There is no definite timeline as to when this will need done. Contributing factors include family size, waste amount, tank size, and how well the septic is maintained. To keep the septic system operating at its best, regular septic tank maintenance should be performed.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the following four septic tank maintenance tasks as most important in protecting your septic system:

1. Regularly inspect your septic system and pump the tank as necessary.
2. Use water efficiently.
3. Don't dispose of household hazardous wastes in sinks or toilets.
4. Care for your drainfield.

Preventative septic maintenance

In addition to what we've listed above, you can also take the following preventative measurers to protect the septic system from damage:

- Don't drive over the septic tank systems.
- Concrete or asphalt surfaces should not be placed over the septic tank systems.
- Keep trees and tree roots away from the septic.
- Do not direct gutter downspouts towards the septic.
- Monitor sludge and scum levels in the septic with a probe.
- Never dump grease down the sink drain inside the house.
- Don't flush non-biodegradable products down the toilet, such as tampons, cotton balls, flushable wipes, etc.
- Use toilet paper that has been approved for septic tank use.

Safety and the septic tank

Far too many children have died by falling into an open septic tank hole. This horrible tragedy can be prevented by using a concrete manhole cover that is too heavy for young children to move. Moreover, children should be supervised when playing near the septic system.

Regularly inspect your

More from Jennifer Wagner:

5 Ways to Unclog a Drain Without Chemicals

Extend the Life of Your Household Appliances

What's Causing Your Musty Basement Odor?

SOURCE:

Personal knowledge

Jennifer Wagner - Yahoo! Contributor Network

http://www.epa.gov/owm/septic/pubs/homeowner_guide_long.pdf