Septic Tank Maintenance: How to Improve Your System
Proper septic tank maintenance is essential to the efficient functioning and longevity of your entire septic system. Regular inspections and pumping prevent blockages and overflows and help to deliver optimal performance. Read on for more actions you can take and avoid to keep your septic system performing at its best.
Why Is Septic Tank Maintenance Important?
Septic tank maintenance is essential for the proper functioning of your wastewater system. Regular maintenance helps to prevent blockages and overflows, which can lead to costly repairs and health hazards. Regular maintenance also helps to manage sludge layers, prevent blockages and extend the longevity of the septic system.
By arranging routine inspections and maintenance for your septic system, you can avoid the inconvenience of system failures and prolong the life of your septic tank. Additionally, proper maintenance protects the environment by preventing the contamination of soil and groundwater. Regularly scheduled maintenance keeps your system operating efficiently and safely, provides peace of mind and safeguards your investment.
How Often Should a Septic Tank Be Desludged?
Septic tanks should generally be desludged every 3-5 years to ensure they function properly. However, the exact frequency can vary based on several factors:
- Tank Size: Larger tanks may need to be desludged less frequently than smaller ones.
- Household Size: More occupants generate more wastewater, which requires more frequent pumping.
- Water Usage: High water usage - which may be caused by frequent laundry, dual flush toilets or long showers - can fill the tank faster and necessitate more regular maintenance.
- Waste Disposal Units: Using a waste disposal unit built into your sink can increase the amount of solid waste in the tank, necessitating more frequent pumping.
Regular inspections by a professional can help to determine the optimal pumping schedule for your specific system. These inspections will take into account your household’s unique factors and usage patterns to provide a tailored maintenance plan. By adhering to a recommended pumping schedule, you can prevent issues such as blockages, overflows, and costly repairs, ensuring the longevity and efficiency of your septic system.
How Do You Extend the Life of Your Septic Tank?
To extend the life of your septic tank and maximise its longevity, follow these essential practices:
- Never flush items such as:
- Wet wipes
- Sanitary products
- Nappies
- Cotton balls
- Dental floss
- Cigarette butts
- Paper towels
- Plastics
- Use water-saving fixtures and spread out water usage to reduce the load on your septic system.
- Avoid pouring chemicals, fat, oil and grease down the drain. Chemicals can kill beneficial septic tank bacteria, while fat, oil and grease will solidify when it changes temperature and can clog pipes.
- Do not put food waste down the drain. Avoid using the sink as a waste disposal unit to prevent contaminants and solid waste entering the septic system
- Schedule regular inspections and maintenance. Regular professional inspections can help you to detect and address issues early, ensuring the system remains in optimal condition.
Signs That Your Septic Tank Needs to Be Emptied
- Slow Drains: If sinks, showers, or toilets are draining more slowly than usual, it could be a sign that your septic tank is nearing capacity and needs to be emptied.
- Unpleasant Odours: Foul smells emanating from around your septic tank or drain field suggest that the tank might be full and need servicing.
- Pooling Water: Noticeable pools of water in your yard, especially near the drain field, can indicate that the septic tank is overflowing and needs immediate attention.
- Sewage Backup: Wastewater backing up into household drains is a critical and urgent sign that your septic tank is full and needs to be emptied right away.
- Lush, Green Grass: An unusually green and lush area over the drain field can be a sign of leaking effluent from an overfilled septic tank, indicating it is time for a pump-out.
How Do You Maintain Your Septic System's Drain Field?
A septic tank's drain field, also known as a leach field or absorption field, is a component of a septic system. After wastewater is treated in the septic tank, the effluent (liquid waste) flows into the drain field. Here, it is distributed through a network of perforated pipes buried in gravel-filled trenches. The effluent percolates through the soil, which acts as a natural filter by removing harmful bacteria, viruses, and nutrients. This process helps to prevent groundwater contamination and ensures that treated wastewater is safely returned to the environment.
Maintaining your septic system's drain field involves:
- Avoiding Traffic and Construction: Prevent damage by keeping vehicles and heavy construction activities away from the drain field. This helps maintain the integrity of the pipes and soil structure.
- Planting Grass or Shallow-Rooted Plants: Seeding these plants around the area helps to prevent soil erosion, and they will not penetrate deeply enough to interfere with the drain field pipes.
- Monitoring Drainage: Make sure water from gutters, downspouts, and other sources is directed away from the drain field to prevent waterlogging, which can hinder the drain field’s ability to treat wastewater effectively.
- Regularly Inspecting for Signs of Failure: Conduct regular inspections for signs of failure, such as pooling water, foul odours, or slow drains. Address any issues promptly to maintain the system’s efficiency and prevent environmental contamination.
- Managing Excess Water: Have a solution in place to manage waterlogging and excess water to prevent drain field saturation and potential flooding.
Universal Tankers' Approach to Septic System MaintenanceAt Universal Tankers
We provide comprehensive septic tank maintenance services tailored to your specific needs. Our experienced team conducts thorough inspections, timely pumping, and essential repairs to keep your system operating efficiently. We utilise state-of-the-art equipment and strictly adhere to all relevant regulations, which guarantees high-quality maintenance of your septic system.
We offer a guaranteed next-day septic tank maintenance service to clients across England and Scotland. As septic tank maintenance experts, we carry out all of our services in compliance with the law, and prioritise the best outcomes for our clients, the environment, and the overall system performance. Our commitment to excellence ensures your septic system remains in optimal condition.
Get In Touch
If you need a septic tank emptying, get in touch with Universal Tankers today by calling 0800 180 4474 (England) or 01236 434422 (Scotland), or fill out the contact form on this page to arrange a time for us to call you back.
