If your home has a septic system, you might not know the basics of care and maintenance. People who have moved from a municipal sewer system to a septic system are often unfamiliar with the ins and outs of care and maintenance. And even if you’ve been on a septic system for a long time, it never hurts to review the basics.
How It Works
Explanations of septic systems can be complicated and convoluted, so here’s a quick outline. A septic system does for your home what a city wastewater system does for everyone’s home. It treats wastewater, and once the water is cleaned, it releases it back into the environment.
Water from your house runs into your septic tank. Solids settle in the tank, where bacteria break them down. Liquids flow out into the drain field, where they are filtered into the soil.
Smart Daily Habits
Flush only toilet paper and human waste into a septic system. Even flushable wipes can cause problems. You want good bacteria to thrive in your tank. Bleach and other harsh cleaners can disrupt this process, so use them minimally.
Most homes require pumping every three to seven years. You may want to have the system itself inspected more frequently. A professional can provide more precise recommendations based on your system and usage.
Signs of Trouble
The tips above should help keep your septic system functioning properly, but you can still have problems. Sewage smells, a gurgling toilet or slow drains in multiple places throughout your home can all be signs that your septic system is struggling.
Note as well whether your yard has damp patches when it hasn’t been raining or an area that’s suddenly bright green and flourishing. This can look great, but it could signal a septic issue.
Know Your System
If you’re wondering where exactly your septic system is, you aren’t alone. Unfortunately, houses don’t come with instruction manuals, and you may need to do a little detective work to locate your septic system if it’s cover isn’t visible. It’s important to do this because driving or parking over your drain field can damage it.
Sometimes, you can locate the drain lines from your home and follow them to the drain field. However, you may need to resort to public records. Your county health department may have a map that shows the location of your system.
Having a septic system means the municipality is not responsible for maintenance; you are. However, with some simple shifts in habits and periodic professional maintenance, your system should do its job for many years. If you live in Eugene, OR or a surrounding area and need septic replacement services, make your first call to Loose Deuce Septic & Tank Services.
