Septic systems are designed to treat sewage and prevent it from seeping into the groundwater or contaminating nearby lakes and ponds. However, the system will only work properly with routine inspections and cleaning.

In addition to regular pumping, homeowners can extend the life of their septic tank by refraining from flushing non-biodegradable items like personal hygiene products and paper towels. Providing the professionals with ample space to execute their septic service will also help reduce cost. Contact Septic Service Fresno for professional help.

When you have a home that doesn’t connect to public sewers, it is your responsibility to maintain the septic tank and the surrounding drainfield. This includes a regular schedule of septic tank pumping, and scheduling a full septic cleaning at least once every five years. By maintaining your septic system and understanding how it works, you can avoid costly repairs and save money in the long run.

Before the septic service arrives, make sure that the pathway to the septic tank is clear. Put away toys and gadgets that could be in the way, and move any furnishings or equipment that might block the path. Having a convenient parking spot also helps speed up the process by reducing the amount of time the crew needs to spend finding the tank and preparing for pumping.

Once the septic professionals arrive, it’s helpful to be on-site to greet them. This establishes rapport and sets a collaborative tone that makes it easier to communicate questions, concerns, or preferences. It’s also important to answer any questions they might have, as this allows you to better comprehend their work and the condition of your septic tank.

Ideally, you should inspect the tank and surrounding area regularly to look for signs of problems. For example, if you notice water pooling or an unusual odor in your yard, these are both indications that something is wrong with the septic tank or drainfield. A clogged septic tank or drainfield can lead to sewage backups and unpleasant odours in your home, so it’s essential to investigate any issues promptly.

If you’re not sure where the septic tank access point is, start by inspecting the basement or crawl space of your home to locate the main sewer line that runs to the septic tank. If the line is buried, you may need to probe the soil with a metal rod until you hear a hollow thudding sound. Once you find the access point, make a map of its location relative to your home and any other permanent landmarks in your property.

Another good practice is to only flush materials that are designed for septic systems. Chemical drain cleaners, toilet paper, and feminine hygiene products can disrupt the natural bacteria that help break down waste in a septic system, leading to clogs. In addition, be mindful of your water usage to minimize stress on your septic system. Consider installing low-flush toilets, faucet aerators, and water-saving shower heads and appliances in your home.

Provide the Professionals with Access to the Septic Tank

The septic tank is a watertight concrete or fiberglass structure with one or more compartments. It has an inlet pipe from each plumbing drain, and an outlet to the absorption field’s pipes extending into the soil.

The wastewater in the septic tank undergoes a settling process, where weighty masses sink to the bottom and are digested by bacteria that break it down into small, soluble molecules. This sludge is removed from the tank through a pump and is spread on the ground in the drainage field to absorb into the soil. The septic tank also contains a network of baffles to keep solid matter from entering the drainfield.

During the septic tank cleaning, the professional checks and cleans all baffles to ensure they are working properly. It is important that this inspection occurs in order to maintain the proper function of the septic system.

If you notice that sewage is backing up into your toilets or shower, it could be because of a blockage in the sewer line. Consult a plumber to fix the problem and prevent further back-ups.

Another reason for septic tank backups is that the system’s absorption field is too small, or the soil has a high water table or fractured bedrock. Consult a county health department sanitarian or Missouri Department of Health to determine the proper size for your absorption field based on your household sewage input.

In addition to ensuring that the absorption field is adequately sized, there are many other things homeowners can do to help prevent septic tank backups. For example, installing water-efficient appliances and fixtures, such as low-flow toilets, faucet aerators, and low-volume shower heads can reduce the amount of wastewater entering the septic tank.

To ensure that the septic tank can be accessed easily, install a riser pipe that extends to within six inches of the soil surface. This allows the septic tank to be inspected and cleaned without the need for digging. Make sure that the riser has a locking mechanism to prevent children and pets from accessing the tank. Also, avoid planting invasive plants near the septic tank and reserve area. Instead, choose drought-tolerant plants and grasses that require no additional water beyond normal rainfall.

Clear the Area Around the Septic Tank

Septic systems work to safely process wastewater from your home’s plumbing drains. However, as with any system, septic systems require regular maintenance and evaluation to ensure that they are working properly.

Hissing pipes, slow-draining fixtures and foul odors are warning signs that your septic system needs service. Ignoring these indicators will only lead to bigger problems down the road, including sewage backups into your home.

Examine your property’s blueprints or records to determine the location of your septic tank and drainfield. Identify where the septic tank access port is located and mark it with a stake in your yard to provide septic services technicians with a head start when they arrive for an inspection or pumping.

Septic tanks and absorption fields need to be surrounded by uncompacted, unsaturated soil. This soil provides the final treatment of the wastewater by killing pathogens and degrading organic matter.

Soil also prevents the septic system from being overloaded. If the soil around your septic system is compacted or overloaded, it can lead to an overflow of sewage into your property and contaminate groundwater sources.

Keeping water-efficient landscaping around the septic system and reserve area is another great way to prevent contamination from happening. Instead of installing ponds, plastic sheeting and other features that need a water source close to the septic system, choose drought-tolerant plants and grasses that are able to survive on rainfall alone.

Make a habit of having your septic tank pumped and inspected every one to five years. Keep a record of these dates and appointments, and practice good household habits such as repairing leaking faucets, running washing machines and dishwashers only when full, and using energy-efficient appliances.

It’s important to educate yourself on the do’s and don’ts of a septic system. While most things are okay in moderation, such as food scraps and plant material, you must never put chemicals, paint, solvents or hazardous waste down your drains. A well-maintained septic system will help you avoid expensive repairs, as well as protect your family’s health and the environment. By keeping up with routine maintenance and encouraging good use of your septic system, you can keep your septic system functioning for many years to come.

Inform Your Neighbors

A septic system provides homes in rural areas with the ability to treat wastewater without relying on centralized sewer systems. These on-site wastewater treatment systems use a combination of nature and reliable technology to break down, filter and absorb sewage. These tank-and-soil absorption systems use a septic tank, leach field, and perforated pipes to treat household wastewater. A septic system relies on the power of helpful bacteria to break down organic waste. The septic tank stores the sewage until a healthy population of anaerobic bacteria can digest it and release clean water into the drain field.

The drain field is a shallow area of uncovered soil that filters the wastewater through rocks, dirt, and sand. It then uses gravity to force the wastewater back down into underground aquifers. When homeowners are proactive about maintaining their septic tanks, they can avoid costly repairs and emergency septic service.

While a septic system can handle most household waste, it is important to educate occupants about what goes into the septic system and the dangers of flushing certain items down the toilet. Many items that are labeled ‘flushable’ can clog the septic system. Examples include cigarette butts, paper towels, baby wipes, feminine hygiene products, and cooking grease. It is also important to have the septic tank pumped regularly.

If a homeowner notices that their yard is wet or there are foul-smelling spots, they should contact a septic system professional for an inspection right away. The professional can determine if the issue is caused by an overflowing septic tank or a problem with the drain field.

It is a good idea to talk with your neighbors about their septic systems and encourage them to maintain their tanks and keep their yards clear. It is not uncommon for septic system issues to affect multiple homes in a neighborhood, so it is best to stay proactive and communicate with your neighbors.

Septic system maintenance requirements vary depending on the type of septic system, but most systems have some level of regular maintenance that should be done. It is important for realtors to inform homebuyers of the septic system maintenance requirements before they buy a house so they are aware of what to expect when it comes time for septic tank service.