Septic Tank Maintenance – Best Practices for Homeowners

When it comes to septic tank maintenance, there are some best practices that you should follow. Whether you are a do-it-yourself homeowner or use a professional service, there are steps you should take to ensure that your septic system is functioning properly and that it won’t cause any issues in the future.

Pumping Out a Septic Tank

It is important to know the best practices for homeowners to keep their septic tanks working properly. A good septic system requires regular maintenance. If you’re having problems with your system, consider calling a septic tank contractor Citra, FL, to help you.

Pumping a septic tank is essential to keeping your system running smoothly. When your septic tank gets too full, it can clog and overflow. This can lead to costly repairs.

You can prevent a septic system from overflowing by limiting how much water you use. Also, avoid using chemical cleaners down the drain. These can cause damage to your septic tank and can harm the environment.

Getting a septic tank professionally cleaned is another way to keep your system in good shape. A professional will remove all of the accumulated material in your tank.

Avoiding Deep-Rooted Vegetation

For those who own a septic system, it is important to avoid planting deep-rooted vegetation. Plants that have deep roots may damage the drain field and clog the septic pipes.

The best choice for landscaping over a septic drain field is perennials. These types of plants can tolerate wet ground and salt. Unlike annuals, perennials don’t need much watering and tend to be low maintenance.

Shrubs and ornamental trees should be kept far from the septic tank. Avoid plants with large root systems, such as beech, oak, and maple.

Groundcovers such as azaleas, boxwoods, and hydrangeas are good choices. You can intersperse these plants with annuals to add interest to your landscape. Trees should be planted about twenty feet away from the septic tank.

Avoiding Excessively Watering

If your home has a septic tank, you should know how to avoid excessive watering. Watering a septic tank can cause the tank to fill with sludge. This can lead to overflowing and sewage ponding.

Septic tanks need regular maintenance to keep them running smoothly. It would help if you had the system inspected and pumped at least once a year. You should contact your local health department if you have problems with your septic system. They can answer your questions and help you to prevent septic tank failure.

Your septic tank should be surrounded by non-compacted soil. It should be fenced in and marked so you can easily locate it. Adding a layer of grass over the drain field can reduce flooding.

Avoid using anti-bacterial soaps, laundry detergents, and other harsh chemicals. These can damage the microbes in a septic tank. The best choice is to use biodegradable soaps and cleaners.

Signs of a Clogged or Leaking Septic Tank

If you own a home with a septic system, it’s important to monitor the drains and septic tanks regularly. When you do, you can catch problems before they worsen and cause expensive repairs.

Many things can clog a drain. This can happen with a sewer line, a septic tank, or your entire system. The best way to avoid this is to have your drains cleaned regularly.

A sewage backup is a serious health risk. It can overflow onto your house or lawn. You must ensure you’re ready to deal with this if it happens.

Slow drains can signal a problem with your septic tank. They may take longer to drain than usual or stop completely. Either way, you’ll need to call a plumber for a drain cleaning.