BROWSE HOW TOs

How to Maintain Your Septic Tank

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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If you live apart from a municipal sewer system, 'out of sight, out of mind' probably applies to your septic tank. But it's important to keep up with routine maintenance.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Step1

Hire a licensed and bonded septic-pumping contractor to test the tank annually, and have the sludge pumped out as often as necessary. If you neglect to do this, the sludge will build up, reducing the capacity of the tank and eventually causing sludge to leak into the drain field, which is a serious problem.

Step2

Have the septic-pumping contractor also perform a visual inspection for damage or potential problems. Workers pumping the tank should check the alarm, baffles, compressor, motor, timer and pump.

Step3

Avoid driving over your tank or drain field.

Step4

If you're putting in a swimming pool, keep it at least 15 feet away from the drain field.

Step5

Don't put chemicals such as paint thinner, insecticides or gasoline down the drains. These will kill the bacteria that break down waste products in the tank.

Step6

Refrain from sending nondegradable items, such as sanitary pads, plastic or rubber, down the drain.

Step7

Plant only grass and flowers above the tank and drain field - not trees, whose roots could interfere with the system.

Tips & Warnings

Contact a plumbing company to help you identify where the septic tank and drain field are if you don't know.
Call a plumber immediately if more than one toilet in your home backs up simultaneously. This could be an indication of a serious problem with your septic tank.

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Comments

JohnHeim said

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on 11/17/2007 I personally adive against chemical additives. I have seen first hand what chemicals can do to a system when they free up the sludge, forcing it deep into the drainfield. On the other hand BACTERIAL additives are highly succesfull and do work provided there is no internal mechanical damage to the system. Bacteria, unlike chemicals, eats the sludge and grime buildup and will keep eating as long as there is organic matter to chew on. Before you replace you entire system, try a strong septic tank treatment that is bacterial based and ask about a gaurantee or return policy in advance. Make sure you can get your money back if it doesnt work and your risk will be eliminated.

Anonymous said

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on 8/8/2006
If you have a water softener, be sure to have your septic tank pumped often. The salt from the water softener will kill the bacteria in your septic tank and it will eat away at the baffles and the tank. If you don't keep up with it, you could spend a lot of money on septic tank replacement.

Anonymous said

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on 8/8/2006 If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. I bought one of the additives for my septic tank that advertised I would "Never Have to Pump Again." It was a lie. I used the additive properly according to the instructions on the bottle. I didn't pump my septic tank for 5 years. One day the waste from my septic started backing up into my house. I called a plumber. He told me I had to get someone to pump my septic tank! When the company came to pump it out, they told me my septic system was ruined! The leach field was plugged and the tank was full. I was thoroughly disgusted with the results of the miracle additive!

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 Never use household bleach to clean the toilets, it will kill the good bacteria in the tank. A brush and clean water will do.

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. I bought one of the additives for my septic tank that advertised I would "Never Have to Pump Again." It was a lie. I used the additive properly according to the instructions on the bottle. I didn't pump my septic tank for 5 years. One day the waste from my septic started backing up into my house. I called a plumber. He told me I had to get someone to pump my septic tank! When the company came to pump it out, they told me my septic system was ruined! The leach field was plugged and the tank was full. I was thoroughly disgusted with the results of the miracle additive!