Tips To Help You Maintain And Repair Or Replace Your Septic System
Posted on: 13 March 2018
When your home is connected to a septic system versus being connected to the city's sewer, you have a responsibility to maintain and check the system to ensure it continues working properly. Any problem or damage occurring to your system can cause sewage to leak into the soil and can contaminate nearby groundwater, you and your family, and also neighbors. Here are some tips to help you keep your system working properly and how to deal with problems and handle needed repairs.
Use Your Septic System Appropriately
When using a septic system, you need to be mindful of what you flush into the system. A septic system is like a small sewage treatment system situated in your backyard and needs to be used appropriately to ensure it continues working properly.
Do not flush or rinse greases, animal fats, or foods down your sink, and only use septic-approved toilet paper. Too much of the wrong type of waste will clog up the tank and cause excess sludge and scum layers in the tank, which can cause the drain field to flood or become clogged. Be sure you have a septic system professional check and pump your tank on a regular basis, depending on the size of your tank and the number of people in your household using the system.
Check for Damage
If you experience sewage flowing back up into your home through any drains or your outside drain field has become flooded, check the condition of the underground tank to determine if there is a problem with your septic system. You should have access to the tank's access hatch situated in your yard.
Open the lid to the tank and use a flashlight to check the water level. The tank's water should come up to the tank's outlet or baffles. If the water is too high or too low, you know there is a problem within the tank and you should call a septic system professional immediately. They can investigate the system to determine what has occurred to repair or replace any components.
Complete Necessary Repairs
When your septic system has begun to fail from excess sludge or scum, this can cause waste matter to flow into the drain field or into the soil surrounding the tank. A tank that has cracked or a drain field that has become clogged will need to be replaced and cannot be repaired.
Talk to your septic professional about your options to complete this work and the cost. Because the cost of a septic system replacement can be high, talk to your local environmental department or health department. They can provide low-interest financing assistance for septic system replacements, help you find affordable financing, or even help you locate and qualify for tax credits for the repairs.
For more information, contact a business such as Shortys Sanitary Service.
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