Ways To Preserve The Overall Life Of Your Septic Field

Construction & Contractors Blog

The last thing you may be thinking about is your septic tank or septic field—that's until a problem pops up out of the blue. Septic tanks may not always be on a homeowner's list of routine maintenance and upkeep, but it should be on yours. Knowing certain things to avoid, as well as when it's time to call in a professional, can save your hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Here are some ways you can boost the life of your septic field.

Schedule A Routine Inspection

It's important to have a septic tank inspection on an annual basis. This helps to detect underlying problems that could lead to extensive and costly repairs in the near future. A septic tank specialist will examine your drain field for any potential problems and take a look at the inlet inspection pipes on the actual tank. He will look for sewage backflow and any type of corrosion that may be occurring inside the tank. He will thoroughly inspect all of the drains inside your home, as well as water pressure and flow in your sinks and toilets. If your tank is full, waste removal will be recommended. Most septic tanks only need to be pumped every five years. Excessive usage or a blockage may require more frequent removal.

Avoid Disposing Of Medications Down The Drain

If you or a family member take prescription drugs on a routine basis, you should always avoid flushing them down the toilet or drain. Chemotherapy drugs, antibiotics and medications for immune suppression can be extremely toxic to septic systems. A septic tank relies on microbes for proper function, and these drugs kill those microbes, which can ultimately lead to breakdown of your septic system.

Reroute Your Water Softener

If you have a water softener that is routed directly to discharge into the sewer drain, you could be causing damage to your septic tank. Salt discharged into the tank can eventually clog fine particulate soils as well as clay. Over time, this can block the movement of liquid and lead to a blockage and buildup of sewage in the lines.  

Be On The Lookout For Potential Problems

It's always good to know some of the telltale signs of a potential septic tank issue. Some of the most common are:

• Backup of sewage or waste into your toilet or drains
• Slow or clogged drains in the shower or sink
• Burst sewer pipes inside the home
• Standing water in the yard over the septic tank
• Areas of moist or muddy soil, as well as sinkholes or water puddles in the yard
• Discoloration of grass, including very green grass or dead grass in certain spots
• Foul odor coming from the drains inside of your home or from anywhere outside

Any concern you have about your drain field should be addressed by a professional septic tank contractor.

Resolving septic tank and drain field issues does not have to be complicated. Contact a professional from a company like Hemley's Septic Tank Cleaning to avoid long-term problems.

7 January 2015