To ensure your home’s plumbing is working properly, safely, and consistently, the septic system must be maintained regularly. Doing so means you won’t have to pay for costly and harmful clogs from bathrooms and kitchens. Household waste from sinks, toilets, and drains are also eliminated the right way. Here’s what you should and shouldn’t do when it comes to septic system maintenance.

Do:

Schedule periodic septic tank pumping. 

As a vital part of your home’s septic system, the septic tank’s role is to break down oil, grease, and solids from wastewater to be safely discharged. Over time, a layer of sludge and scum may accumulate at the bottom of the tank, leading to backups and improper system operation. It is generally recommended that the septic tank is professionally pumped every three to five years. If your household uses larger than usual amounts of water, the tank may require more frequent pumping services. 

Arrange for annual inspections and cleanings.

To extend the life of your home’s septic system, it’s important to schedule annual inspections and cleaning. A professional and licensed company has the diagnostic equipment to identify leaks, cracks, and other issues and make the necessary repairs. They use specialty equipment to thoroughly clean septic systems and dispose of waste in accordance with federal, state, and local environmental protection guidelines. 

Don’t:

Flush items down the toilet or drains that can cause damage.

While septic systems are designed to break down waste, several items can cause costly and unsafe backups. You should never flush facial wipes, paper towels, cigarette butts, or feminine products down the toilet. Avoid pouring paint, motor oil, or grease down drains. Even using an abundance of household drain cleaners and products with ammonia and other chemicals can cause clogs. 

Obstruct the septic system’s drainfield.

The drainfield is typically a covered excavation located in the soil on the property. As wastewater passes through a septic system for treatment, it is discharged through the drainfield, safely into the ground, and then into groundwater. To ensure that the soil around the drainfield is not compacted, which can limit proper waste removal, keep vehicles, patio furniture, and other items away from the area. For preventing recurring obstructions, decks, carports, and patios should not be built near drainfields.

By being proactive, you can keep your home’s septic system in good working condition. For more than 15 years, American On Site in Molalla and Newberg, OR, has been the specialist homeowners call on for superior installation, maintenance, and repair services. What makes the licensed, bonded, and insured company unique is its extensive experience, thorough diagnosis, competitive rates, and top-notch customer care. The technicians take the time to answer all questions in clear terms. Schedule your septic system cleaning today by calling (503) 829-7600 in Molalla or (503) 538-8808 in Newberg. Visit the website for the firm's full lineup of services.