Adding a septic installation to your home is a smart step towards a more environmentally friendly property. However, if you want your system to last for multiple decades, you’ll have to change how you use your plumbing system. Here are some maintenance do’s and don’ts to help you get the most out of your investment.

Do:

Regularly inspect the system.

Most septic tanks and drain fields should be inspected and pumped every three to five years. However, depending on the size of the tank, the number of people living in the home, and the total wastewater and solids produced, this frequency could be more or less often. 

After initially installing a septic system, have the tank inspected every year to determine how fast it’s filling up with sludge and scum. The inspector will also check the condition of all working parts during this time, so you can find out if you’re using the system correctly.

Monitor water usage.

Your septic system is designed to handle a specific amount of water each day. Exceeding this limit risks pushing wastewater into the drainfield before the sludge and scum layers have been filtered. This can result in solids clogging the drainfield pipes and causing waste to spill onto the lawn. 

Prevent this by planning your water usage ahead of time. Make a schedule for showers, laundry, and washing dishes. Also, remember that each person living in a house will use 80 to 100 gallons of water every day.

Don’t:

Flush anything besides toilet paper.

The natural bacteria inside your septic system break down waste, but flushing food, sanitary products, paper towels, cat litter, and other non-waste-specific items down your toilets and drains will alter this process. The sludge and scum levels will rise quicker than the bacteria can work. Without pumping the tank, waste can back up into your home or spill over into the drainfield. 

Park on the drainfield.

Driving or parking over a drainfield will compact the soil and make it difficult for moisture to evaporate at the surface and oxygen to penetrate it. This makes the environment less hospitable to the septic bacteria that remove harmful pathogens in the effluent. Also, the weight of a car can break the underground pipes. 

When you require an effective wastewater solution, turn to the professionals at Ritas Equipment Rental & Trash Disposal in Kalaheo, HI, for a septic installation. For over a decade, this excavation company has provided land clearing and demolition services to home and business owners on Kauai. They also specialize in trenching, tank and leech field installation, and septic system repairs. Visit their website to learn more about their septic services. Call them at (808) 332-8339 to schedule an inspection or installation.