After solid waste is separated in the septic tank, the liquid waste enters the drainfield for further treatment. The effluent seeps out of perforated pipes, where it’s filtered through sand or soil to remove particles that could contaminate groundwater. Falling behind with septic tank maintenance could affect drainfield performance, which is why you should add the following tasks to your to-do list and break other bad habits immediately. 

Do:

Schedule routine septic pumping.

Solids sink to the bottom of the septic tank, while effluent settles in the middle and grease and oils float on top. A septic tank maintenance technician should routinely remove the solid waste in the tank Otherwise, it could leave the tank and clog drainfield pipes. 

Prepare for rainy weather. 

When soil in the drainfield is saturated, it can’t treat effluent in perforated pipes. Waste could back up into house drains as a result.

To reduce this risk, keep gutters clean so rain runoff drains away from the yard. Downspouts should be pointed away from the drainfield too.

In anticipation of heavy rainfall, schedule septic tank maintenance. A technician will provide pumping if needed. This will prevent the tank from overflowing and sending solids into the drainfield. Conserving water during rainstorms will also prevent the tank from overflowing. 

Don’t:

Build over the drainfield.

From SUVs to sheds and swimming pools, nothing should rest on top of the drainfield. The weight could crush the perforated pipes just below the ground. Putting objects on the drain field also can cause freezing in the winter in Alaska, making the drain field fail.

Bacterial additives  

Don’t use bacterial additives in your septic system as there is no biological advantage in Alaska as the ground is too cold for bacteria to grow.  This is why seasonal Pumping is a must to remove solids from your septic tank.

For septic tank maintenance to prevent performance hiccups, contact the North Pole, AK-based technicians at Bigfoot Pumping & Thawing. With over 25 years of experience, the family-owned company provides septic pumping, drain cleaning, camera inspections, and additional solutions to ensure waste on your property is treated correctly. To schedule a septic tank maintenance appointment in Interior Alaska, call (907) 488-9855. Online, you’ll find out how the technicians will assist during an emergency, and their Facebook has a wealth of septic system upkeep tips.