A functional septic tank is a necessity. Your septic tank works round the clock to remove household waste to help keep your home healthy. Like every other component of your septic system, your septic tank needs regular maintenance. Periodic maintenance prevents potentially costly problems and ensures that your tank is working optimally.
Here are our top septic tank maintenance tips.
Have It Pumped Regularly
It is important to have a professional pump your septic tank on a regular basis. Many septic tank specialists recommend pumping your septic tanks every 3-5 years to avoid slow drains, water contamination, and unwanted odors. When determining how frequently you should pump your tank, consider septic tank size, the number of people in your home, and the type of waste you put into your septic tank.
If you require septic tank pumping in Napa County then contact L.J. Construction for an efficient and reliable service.
Regularly Inspect Your Septic Tank For Leaks
Septic tank leaks can be caused by a damaged baffle, improper installation or maintenance, corrosion, and crushed pipes. In addition to this, tree roots can even grow into the septic tank, which will ultimately damage them.
It can be challenging to locate leaks whilst the tank is in use as it is usually buried undergroud. One way to inspect for leaks is to check for lush green grass growing above or near where the tank is buried. This implies that there is a leak in the tank, especially if this grass is not normally there. Alternatively, the best time to check is when you are having your tank pumped. This reiterates the importance of pumping your tank on a regular basis.
Periodically Check the Leach Field For Clogs
The leach field is an integral part of a septic system. It is an underground system of lines or pipes designed to remove contaminants from liquid waste after it leaves the septic tank. Unfortunately, your leach field can become clogged over time. A clogged leach field can cause sewage backups and leaks and can also contaminate groundwater.
After heavy showers, walk across your leach field and watch out for signs of a clog. Some common warning signs the leach field is clogged include sewage smells, unusually green grass, standing water, and mushy ground.
Below are some other leach field maintenance tips:
- Do not drive over your leach field.
- Regularly trim the plants around the leach field so you can monitor any changes and watch out for drainage problems.
- Make sure water from your home drains away from the leach field.
- Allow grass to grow on your leach field as grass absorbs water and can help prevent flooding.
Use a Bacteria Additive
The naturally occurring bacteria in a septic tank break down the solid waste in it. Drain cleaners, powerful cleaning solutions, and antibacterial soaps can kill beneficial bacteria. To protect the beneficial bacteria in your septic tank, add organic additives to it. An organic additive releases new bacteria that break down soap and other contaminants in your tank.
Are you having problems with your septic tank? Let L.J. Construction help. Our expertise allows us to develop cost-effective, long-term solutions to septic tank problems. To schedule an inspection, call (707) 823-0247.