Thursday, August 22, 2013

How to Maintain a Septic System

How to Maintain a Septic System

Septic systems are the wastewater treatment method of choice for homes built in remote areas or those not serviced by local treatment plants. These systems have a proven reliability and when properly designed, installed and maintained, should yield a lifespan of 20 years or more. Interestingly, about 25 percent of US households use on site wastewater treatment methods, the vast majority of which are septic systems. Here's what you can do to ensure your septic system continues to do its job silently, effectively and virtually odor-free.

Instructions

    1

    Create a record. If you've just built your dream home and it's served by a septic system, you know the precise age of your system. Enter the installation date in your septic maintenance record. If you purchased an existing home with a pre-existing septic system, ask the seller or your realtor for all applicable septic records. This will help you understand your system's capabilities, expressed in terms of numbers of bedrooms, when the system was originally installed and the date it was last serviced. Log in all maintenance you perform on the system to keep the record complete and to prompt you for periodic service.

    2

    Know that the septic system is comprised of a large, buried tank that collects effluent from the home and a drain field--or leech field--through which decomposed materials are percolated into the soil. You can easily identify your septic tank by locating its metal or concrete riser covers. By viewing your property in relation to the tank, you can approximate the location of the drain field by observing how the terrain falls down and away from the tank. It is in that area the drain field will be located though it is buried beneath the surface.

    3

    Be aware that the septic tank collects all of the liquid and solid waste you introduce into your home's plumbing system including toilets, sinks and laundry drains. Liquid is both an enemy and ally to your septic system, and the savvy homeowner introduces water into the system sparingly. For example, rather than wash laundry all day long until the task is complete, habitually spread the process over several days to prevent overtaxing your septic system. Be conscious of the volume of water that flows into the tank and adjust your lifestyle to ensure your system can adequately manage that volume. Septic tanks decompose waste by separating it into sludge at the bottom of the tank, wastewater in the middle and scum at the top. To keep your system operating effectively, the tank should be professionally pumped every 3 to 4 years. If you're in doubt as to when your tank was last pumped, call in a professional and have it done.

    4

    Know that some septic systems use aerators to help decompose waste materials. These pumps stir the water at the top of the tank and are, generally, always on. If your septic system has such a device, you'll notice an aerator power control box inside your home or in a waterproof service box closer to the tank. Aerator pumps should be cleaned every other month, a level of maintenance easily performed by the homeowner. Shut off power to the aerator, remove the concrete aerator cap from the septic tank's riser-noticeable because of its vent-and withdraw the pump being careful of its weight. Once free, unplug the unit and spray it forcefully with a garden hose or pressure washer to remove visible bacteria. Be sure to unwind and remove accumulated hair and lint to prevent damage to the steel rod. Don't forget to wear rubber gloves. When finished, return the unit to the riser, plug in the power cord and replace the lid. If your aerator pump fails, replace it yourself or contact your septic professional.

    5

    Consider that the drain field requires virtually no maintenance and should do its job invisibly. However, the attentive owner should always be aware that problems can arise. Septic systems generally produce little if any odor. If you smell sewage near the drain field, notice puddles near the surface or water drains slowly from your home, odds are that you've found a problem. If your home has a backup drain field, locate its "T" control and switch to the other field. If not, call your septic professional.

    6

    Be aware that septic systems are extraordinarily reliable and require only a modicum of care. With septic systems, prevention is easier and far less expensive than curing a problem. In general, manage the flow of water from your home and don't allow water softeners, hot tubs or swimming pools to drain into the system. If you suspect such appliances are draining into your tank, call a plumber for advice on rerouting the drains for those products. Don't introduce caustic substances such as commercial drain cleaners, paint thinner, paint, acids or oils. These inhibit the bacterial decomposition that takes place in your tank. Use paper products certified to be septic safe and do not flush items such as paper towels, feminine napkins, coffee grounds, cotton swabs or condoms since those can clog the drain field and inhibit or prevent percolation.

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