How to Care for Your Septic Tank and Leach Field

Most people only think about their septic system when it starts to smell. By the time you smell it, your septic system is failing which can cost thousands of dollars to fix. A little education and some preventative maintenance will keep your septic system running without a hitch.

Things You'll Need

• Your local septic service company's phone number.
• Bacterial septic system additive.
• Willingness to change your cleaning habits.

Instructions

1. Understand Your Septic System.

   If your house isn't hooked up to a municipal sewer system, you have a septic system. Water going down your drain ends up in the septic tank, which lets the solid waste either sink to the bottom or float on the surface and eventually get broken down by bacteria. Water separates these two layers of solids, and that water flows out to your leach field. The leach field distributes the waste water into your yard, letting the earth trap the impurities as it flows back down to the water table.

   This is a simplified description of what's going on, but we're going to focus on the bacteria in your septic tank. Without bacteria in your septic tank the solid waste never gets broken down and the whole system will eventually clog, which will create a mess either in your yard or in your house.

2. Be Nice to Bacteria.

   Since your whole septic system depends on bacteria, things which kill bacteria will reduce the effectiveness of your septic system. Limit your use of anti-bacterial soap and cleaning products containing bleach and lye. Liquid detergents contain fewer harsh chemicals than powdered varieties, so they're better for your septic system. If you can change to biodegradable and/or organic cleaners, your septic system will thank you.

3. Don't Flush Too Many Biodegradable Solids.

   DO NOT put non-biodegradable items down your drain like metal, plastics, latex, most feminine hygiene products, and cotton balls. These items will not break down and can cause a clog even before they get to your septic tank. Find a different way to dispose of non-biodegradable solids and solids which won't break down easily, including grease and animal fats.

   Be careful not to put too many solids down your drain, even if they are biodegradable. If you have a garbage disposal, try not to use it all the time or you may need to have your tank pumped more often.

4. Use Bacterial Additives.

   If your septic service company has industry-only bacterial products available, go for those. Otherwise look for organic, bacteria-only septic additives at your local hardware or department store. Most drain cleaners contain harsh chemicals which actually kill bacteria, so steer clear of those.

   Follow the instructions on the product you pick up for how often to use it. You won't hurt anything by adding too much, and adding too little is better than adding nothing at all to your tank.

5. Regularly Pump and Service Your Septic Tank.

   If you can't remember the last time your septic tank was pumped, call your local septic service company as soon as you can, before you run into trouble. They will pump your tank to remove all the solids and inspect the tank for damage. They will want to pump you yearly, but you can get away with every 2 or even 3 years if you follow the rest of the steps above.

Tips & Warnings

• Winter is a great time to get your septic system pumped. Most people don't think about it because the septic tank may be covered in snow, and septic companies are usually hungry for business in the winter.

• Ask if your septic company has any discounts available when you call to set up your service appointment. You can probably save a few dollars just by asking.

• Your septic tank will refill with water a day or two after it's pumped. That's normal and required for the tank to function properly.

• You can do everything right and still run into a problem. Roots can destroy your septic system, and heavy machinery in your yard can crack your septic tank or break the pipes going to or from it.

• In your septic tank, the pipes going in and out both have T-shaped pipes on them to keep the solids in the septic tank. Sometimes they break or fall off and they will need to be replaced. Your septic company can replace them for you.

Resources

• Good graphic of a septic system from Wind River Environmental.
• Septic system entry at Wikipedia.