Septic Tank Care

Septic Tanks affect your water quality and your finances. Steps To Care For Your Septic Tank It SAVES you money Why should I take care of my septic tank? A failing septic tank is very expensive to repair or replace and the most common reason for a failing septic tank is not taking care of it in the first place. Your septic tank needs to be cleaned every 3-5 years, depending on how many people are in your home. Your health department helps you decide how frequently your septic tank needs to be pumped clean. Many people do not know where their septic tank is located. This is important to know for septic care and is not something to be embarrassed of or feared. Your health department wants to help you find and care for your septic tank. A failing septic tank lowers your property value. Properly handling human waste prevent diseases and provides clean drinking water for everyone, especially those downstream! Taking care of your septic tank keeps water clean. A cleaned septic tank eliminates pollutants entering drinking water. Pump every 3 to 5 years - Be sure to have your tank pumped regularly. This keeps your leach field from becoming clogged with solids from the septic tank and prolongs the life of your septic system. Conserve water -The more water you conserve, the less water that enters your septic tank and reduces the wear and tear on it. Conserving water will also SAVE your family money. Leaky faucets and toilets waste a lot of water every year and reduce the life of your septic system. How do you ensure that you are taking care of your septic tank? Plant only grass around your septic tank and over the leach field Never drive a vehicle over your septic tank or leach field Make sure rain water and surface water draining systems drain away from the septic tank Never flush anything other than toilet paper and bodily wastes into your septic tank Tips to help your septic tank: Bad things for your septic tank: Diapers Cat litter Cigarettes Coffee grounds Grease Feminine products Gasoline Household chemicals Paint Oil Pesticides Unused pharmaceuticals Garbage disposal contents One of the easiest ways to take care of your septic tank is to know what you should and should NOT be flushing. SAVE WATER You can make a big difference with simple septic care It keeps local streams CLEAN If your septic tank is failing you are contaminating groundwater. Septic care is often scary, but it doesn't have to be. Your health department is available to answer questions and help you find your septic system. Septic waste haulers clean your septic tank and are another valuable source of information on septic tank care. I don't know where my septic tank is... Good things for your septic tank: Urine Feces Urine Feces Urine Feces Urine Feces Urine Feces You get the picture... Blue River Mosquito Creek Blue River I like your thought here, the two paragraphs don't support the statement, though. Can you think of something else to say in this regard? Like A well-maintained septic tank is a $5,000 + asset to your property. Savvy home buyers ask about septic tank care. This is the most expensive "appliance" on your property. Septic care products are unnecessary. Septic Systems 101 Step 1 Locate Your Tank Some tanks have lids 2-3 feet below ground Some tanks have risers installed to provide easy access to the tank Either way, get to the lid of your tank so a septic waste hauler can inspect Step 2 Call a Septic Waste Hauler If your tank needs to be cleaned, expect to pay about $150-$200. A septic waster hauler can also inspect your tank and system for problems. •Most septic systems consist of a septic tank and disposal area or drainfield that treats your home’s wastewater and returns clean water back into the ground. •Know the location of your septic system, DO NOT drive vehicles or build decks, patios, etc over the septic system. •Your septic tank is a filter that gathers all the wastewater you generate. It needs to be cleaned and checked for proper operation at every 3-5 years. •Practice water conservation. Large volumes of water, especially when delivered to the septic system over short periods-flush suspended & untreated particles into the drainfield and clog it. Maintain your septic tanks effluent filter (if applicable). Lack of maintenance causes back-ups of sewage into your home or groundwater. Turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth Only use as much water as needed when taking a shower Only run your washing machine and dishwasher with full loads Install low flow toilets, check out caromausa.com for some good choices Document where your tank is so you can find it again in 3 to 5 years Document when you got your septic tank cleaned. This will help when it is time to maintain again and/or if you sell your home Step 3 Document