Septic pumping often comes to mind when people think of septic system maintenance. Keeping the plumbing system functional requires several practices to save water and avoid contamination-related issues. Use this guide to review what you should and shouldn’t do to maintain the septic system.

Do:

Conserve water.

Make conservative water choices to avoid overwhelming the tank with liquids and sending solid waste into the adjoining drainfield. Stagger washing machine use and don’t operate it with the dishwasher on the same day. You should also try to shorten bathing to keep the tank from filling up too quickly.

Be careful about what goes in the drains.

Only flush liquid and solid waste and toilet paper down the toilets to prevent clogs from inappropriate items, like cotton balls, feminine products, and diapers. You should also keep coffee grounds, cigarette butts, and household chemicals out of the sinks; otherwise, they may clog the tank or disrupt the natural balance of bacteria that handles waste decomposition.

Don’t:

Park over the system.

Mark the ground above the septic tank and drainfield with stakes so that you know where it is. Avoid parking vehicles or heavy machinery in this area since the extra weight may crack the tank, causing it to leak sewage. This pressure may also compact the drainfield, inhibiting its ability to filter the wastewater.

Let the tank overflow.

Have the container pumped every three to five years. This maintenance task removes solids from the tank so that they don’t back up into your toilets or contaminate the drainfield. Although this timeframe is recommended, you may need to schedule septic pumping more frequently if the tank fills quickly due to high water usage.

If it’s time to have the tank pumped, turn to Chugach Sewer & Drain in Anchorage, AK. These professionals provide homeowners with reliable septic maintenance services to keep their plumbing systems running smoothly. To create a septic pumping schedule, send a message online or call (907) 929-5072.