If you have a septic system, it’s important to keep your septic tank in proper working order. When something goes wrong with it, water does not get treated properly, and as a result, your drinking water can become contaminated and waterways can become polluted. There are many reasons why a septic tank system might fail, and to help you understand more clearly what’s involved, Martin’s Septic Service of Milledgeville, GA, is here to explain the most important features.

A septic system must contain the following parts: 

• Septic Tank Lines: These are the pipes that allow wastewater to exit your home. In order to work adequately, these lines should be placed on a slope to allow gravity to do its work.
• Septic Tank: This watertight container, usually made out of concrete or fiberglass, sits beneath the ground and holds the wastewater that enters through the lines. The sewage gets decomposed by bacteria and is then drained into the septic tank drainfield.
• Septic Tank Drainfield: Sometimes referred to as leach fields, these are what get rid of contaminants and impurities in the water or liquid after it’s released from the septic tank. The drainfield is made out of a porous material like gravel and is covered by a layer of soil.

Septic systems fail when the wastewater does not get soaked into the soil properly, which causes the sewage to get backed up. In order to prevent failure, it's important to get your septic tank pumped every three to seven years, depending on the size of your tank and the frequency of its use. Martin’s Septic Service is happy to inspect your septic system and make sure it’s in good working order. Call them for a consultation in Milledgeville at (478) 452-8272. You can also see their website for more information.