Septic Do’s & Dont’s

3-Step Maintenance

It’s incredibly important for you to keep your septic system well-maintained. The average cost of a septic system replacement is $26,000. To limit your risk of ever having to pay this large sum, the most important “do” for your septic system is to keep it maintained using our 3-step maintenance regimen.

Septic System Do’s & Dont’s

Septic System Do’s

• Do spread laundry use over the week rather than many loads on one day.
• Do make a permanent record of where the key parts of your septic system are located for future maintenance (e.g., septic pumping service or field repairs).
• Do have septic pumping service regularly.
• Do keep the records of septic pumping service and septic system maintenance.
• Do use water-conserving devices where possible such as low-flush toilets and low-flow showerheads.
• Do clean the lint trap on your washing machine regularly.
• Do check any pumps, siphons or other moving parts of your system regularly.
• Do remove or prevent trees with large root systems growing near the leach field.
• Do keep surface water from upslope or from roof drains away from the leach field.
• Do check your interceptor drain regularly to ensure that it is free-flowing.
• Run water regularly in seldom used drains such as sinks, tubs, showers, etc., to avoid noxious gases from building up and causing odors inside.

Acceptable Products

• Detergents – should be in liquid form, concentrated, low-sudsing, low- or no-phosphate and bio-degradable.
• Toilet Paper – should be single-ply toilet paper because it breaks down in the septic system faster and better than higher ply count toilet paper. Use toilet paper labeled biodegradable, recycled or septic-safe.
• Cleaning Products – should be non-chlorine, non-ammonia, non-antibacterial, non-toxic and biodegradable cleaning products. Most all-natural cleaners are septic safe.

Septic System Don’ts

• Don’t overload the septic system with high volumes of water.
• Don’t connect basement sump pumps to your septic system.
• Don’t connect backwash from water treatment devices directly to your septic system without professional advice.
• Don’t use a garbage disposal. Chopped up food particles do not break down in the septic tank and can make their way out into your leach field lines causing clogs.
• Don’t allow large amounts of fats, chemicals or solvents to enter the septic system; and don’t allow any plastics to enter.
• Don’t enter a septic tank without proper ventilation. A second person is required to be present above ground, and other requirements by law are met for confined spaces. Sewer gases can be fatal.
• Don’t allow vehicles or heavy equipment to drive over or park on the leach field. This may compact the soil and crush the piping.
• Don’t plant anything over the leach field except grass. Especially do not cover the septic tank or leach field with asphalt or concrete or other impermeable material.
• Don’t put in a separate pipe to carry wash waters to a side ditch or woods. These “greywaters” also contain disease-carrying organisms.
• Above all else, don’t wait for signs of system failure. Check your septic system regularly.

Do Not Flush

The best thing to do for your septic system is to be sure not to flush anything other than human waste and toilet paper, preferably single-ply toilet paper.

Even if items are marked as “septic safe,” do not flush them. For example, some baby wipes and cat litter may be labeled this way. It is not good for your septic system to flush anything other than human waste and toilet paper because it does not break down in the septic system correctly.

No Flush List

Odors

Odors coming from outside the house can be an indication that your septic system is overfull, and you need septic pumping service. A vent pipe may also be installed to help release odors from the septic system.

Sometimes, when drains are not used, the noxious gases can build up and cause odors. For example, if you have a shower in the house that gets little use, you may notice that at times there is an odor coming from that area. Running the water regularly in those drains will help keep odors at bay.

Slow Drains

Slow drains can be a sign that your tank needs to be pumped or you need bacterial additives to help break down accumulating solids. If you have slow drains, contact us for troubleshooting help.

Garbage Disposals

Garbage disposals are not recommended with a septic system. Chopped up food particles from the garbage disposal make their way into the tank and do not completely biodegrade before they can get out into your leach field lines. These lines can then become clogged with food and cause a backup.

Filters

Filters are placed on the outlet line of your septic tank and keep the hair, grit, grime and food particles from escaping into your leach field lines and causing issues. Having a filter is a good way to help prevent unwanted debris from becoming an issue.

For more information about your septic system, check out our Complete Guide to Your Septic System!