Septic tanks have long lifespans, especially if you follow the right practices. These tips include installing sink strainers, hair traps in drains, and lint traps in washing machines.
It’s also important to regularly pump and inspect your septic tank through septic services. This can help prevent clogs in the drain field and keep the system running smoothly.
Monitor Your Water Usage
Monitoring your water usage is a great way to extend the lifespan of your septic tank. By using less water, you can reduce the amount of waste that goes into the septic system, saving you money and preventing unnecessary stress on your system.
Ensure you know where your septic tank is to avoid construction or landscaping near it. Doing so could pierce or puncture the tank itself or important pipes that connect to it.
Don’t flush baby wipes, coffee grounds, bones, cigarette butts, paper towels, or other non-biodegradable materials down the drain. These materials can block septic tank inlets or disrupt the natural bacterial action of the wastewater treatment process. Also, avoid putting chemical drain openers down the drains as these can kill beneficial bacteria or cause clogs.
Install Low-Flow Fixtures
A septic tank and leach field have a lifespan that varies from home to home. However, septic tanks can last up to 40 years if properly used and maintained.
A key maintenance task is monitoring your water usage. Ensure your family only uses necessary water, such as taking shorter showers and spreading laundry loads throughout the week.
Also, make sure to avoid flushing hazardous chemicals down your sink drains. These can harm the biological balance in your septic system and cause clogs.
Don’t flush anything that doesn’t belong in your toilet, including baby wipes, feminine hygiene products, cigarette butts, and more. These items can clog the system, increasing septic tank pumping, repair, and maintenance costs. Talk with a professional landscaper to see what plants can be planted near your septic system, as some have roots that can grow into the tank and drainage lines.
Avoid Disposing of Garbage
A well-functioning septic system can have a lifespan of 40 years or more – but this depends on how it’s used. Keeping a mindful eye on your home’s water usage is the best way to prevent overuse that may shorten a septic tank’s lifespan.
Avoid flushing anything that doesn’t naturally belong in a toilet – materials like wet wipes, feminine hygiene products, cigarette butts, and other items can easily clog your drain field. Eliminate garbage disposals to reduce food waste that enters your septic tank, which can also cause a faster sludge build-up.
Limit the number of people in your home to avoid overloading the septic system. This can be done by taking shorter showers and spreading laundry loads throughout the week.
Repair Leaks as Soon as Possible
Your septic system relies on a delicate balance of natural bacteria to break down waste. Putting hazardous chemicals down your drains can disrupt this balance, causing septic tank leaks. This puts extra strain on the septic system and reduces its lifespan.
It is important to repair any leaks as soon as you notice them. This keeps sewage from leaking into your home and helps prevent septic system and soil absorption field damage.
Have your septic tank pumped regularly. A professional septic tank company can suggest a schedule based on the number of household occupants and the size of your septic tank. Waiting even a few years between pumping can significantly shorten your septic tank’s lifespan.
Schedule Regular Inspections
If you have a conventional gravity septic system, schedule regular inspections by a qualified professional. These visits will help spot any problems early and allow corrective measures to be taken before the problem escalates.
Your septic system relies on a delicate balance of bacteria to break down waste and eliminate it from your home. Certain substances can upset this balance and cause blockages. Only dispose of septic-safe materials like toilet tissue specifically labeled as such and human waste.
Also, keep plants and grass away from the septic tank, drain field, and pump area. Planting too close can compact the soil, leading to broken pipes and a shorter lifespan for your septic system.
