One in five homes in America relies on septic tanks to treat its household wastewater, according to the EPA. However, some homeowners still experience septic tank failure because they fail to follow basic septic maintenance guidelines. If you own a septic tank, here are some simple ways to avoid user-created problems and repairs. 

Do:

Arrange septic cleaning routinely.

Septic tanks become full over time and will cause backups and clogs unless they are cleaned by a professional. Septic tanks should be pumped routinely, but how often depends on their size and the size of your household. Tanks generally need cleaning every three to five years once the amount of sludge and scum in the tank has built up to one-third of the liquid depth inside the tank. 

Protect your drain field.

Your septic tank empties into a drain field, which filters out contaminants and impurities from processed wastewater. Drain fields are shallow areas created in unsaturated soil, and they’re vulnerable to damage from vehicles, flooding, and compacted soil. Divert rainwater away from your drain field by installing proper drainage. Don’t plant trees near the field, and never park cars on the drain field. 

Don’t:

Overload your septic system.

Your septic system can become strained when it experiences too much activity at once. That’s why you should spread your laundry out over a week rather than doing multiple loads in one day. Try to limit your household’s daily number of showers and laundry loads. 

Dispose of anything you wouldn’t or couldn’t eat.

Some homeowners mistakenly flush items down their drains that can cause clogs or disrupt the bacteria in their septic tanks. Some items that should never be flushed include coffee grounds, potato peels, paper towels, bandages, and eggshells. Avoid pouring products containing chlorine or bleach down the drain. Septic tanks require a specific ratio of bacteria to function properly, and cleaners can kill those bacteria and cause the tank to fail.

If you need help with your septic maintenance in Preston, CT, the professionals at Abrahamson Septic have more than 50 years of experience in residential septic services. Their technicians are skilled in septic pumping, installations, and inspections. Call (860) 889-7939 for a free estimate, or visit them online to learn more about their services.