Septic System Maintenance
How to Care for your Septic System
Regular Septic System Maintenance
Proper maintenance of a home septic system protects the health of family and neighbors, benefits the environment, saves money, and preserves property value. It is important to remember that these systems should not be viewed as “install and forget” components of the home. A typical septic system should be looked at every three to five years by a septic system service provider. The tank should be pumped as recommended based on capacity, water use, household size and other factors. More advanced systems require a little more attention to properly care for the more sophisticated components. In the state of Arkansas, a maintenance agreement is required for bi-annual (every six months) inspection of advanced system designs such as Aerobic Treatment Units (ATUs).
An ecosystem of living organisms is critical to the proper functioning of a septic tank. Bacteria and enzymes convert much of the waste into gases and liquids providing the first level of treatment as effluent is pushed out to the drainfield. A system’s performance is largely affected by what materials are put in it, so that these microbes remain viable and the system continues to flow freely. A good rule of thumb is to not allow anything down the drain than can just as easily be put in the trash.
The average lifespan of a septic system is 15 to 40 years, but it can last longer if properly maintained!
Think at the sink. Consider what you put into your toilet and sink and the impact it may have on your system. Many common household items can either clog your system or kill the microbes that treat the wastewater.
“Cloggers” include diapers, baby wipes, cat litter, cigarettes, coffee grounds, FOG (fats, oils & grease), and feminine hygiene products.
“Killers” include medicines, household chemicals, gasoline, oil, pesticides, antifreeze, paint, and high amounts of anti-bacterial soaps and detergents.
The less water you use, the less work your septic system has to do. Stagger the use of appliances, use high efficiency plumbing fixtures, and repair any leaks in your home. One example of staggered appliance use is to spread laundry loads over the week instead of several loads on the same day. Another best practice is to only run the dishwasher or washing machine at full loads.
Eliminate or limit the use of a garbage disposal. This will significantly reduce the amount of FOG and solids that enter your septic system and could clog your drainfield. Scrape and discard excess food and wipe grease and oils from dishes prior washing.
Do not flush garbage down the toilet. This includes the “Cloggers” and “Killers” listed above. Please note that “flushable” cleaning wipes should always be thrown in the trash and never allowed down the drain.
Keep your car and anything heavier than your lawnmower off your drainfield.
Plant trees away from the tank, plumbing and drainfield since tree roots can clog pipes as well as the field and cause the system to fail.
Keep excess water from irrigation, significant rainfall, or drains off the drainfield.
Consult a septic professional for appropriate pumping frequency of your system. Most systems should be pumped every 3-5 years.
Regularly inspect and clean the effluent filter on the tank outlet. This should be done at a minimum every time the tank is pumped and may be recommended as often as once or twice annually. Consult a septic professional for best practice with your system.
Get your tank inspected if you feel you may have a problem.
Severe Weather Emergency Preparedness Guidelines provided by the National Environmental Health Association. (Steps to prepare for and maintain your system during flooding events, freezing weather, power outages, etc.)
For additional information and resources, please visit the EPA SepticSmart website at https://www.epa.gov/septic/septicsmart-homeowners