Many homes operate on a septic tank system rather than a municipal sewer system. The two systems are vastly different. If you’re new to septic systems, you should learn as much as possible to provide the right care and maintenance. Here are a few things you should know about your septic tank.

Septic Systems

A septic tank is a large underground wastewater system that works to dispose of bodily waste of one property. The waste generated from toilets, washing machines, sinks, and garbage disposals is passed into the tank and held there. Solids remain in the tank and liquids are carried to a drain field. A septic tank must be routinely emptied since it holds solid waste.

Septic Tank Pumping

The most important type of maintenance for your tank is pumping. We recommend that your septic tank be pumped every three to five years, depending on how much the tank is used and how many people live in the home. If you fail to have the tank pumped properly, you run the risk of the tank overflowing with solids. This will prevent liquid from moving effectively out of the tank and into the drain fields. A local septic system service can help you with this.

Tank Replacement

A septic tank will need to be replaced once it has outlived its lifespan or if it becomes damaged. According to Building Advisor, a well-built concrete septic or cesspool tank should have a lifespan of 40 years or more, depending on how well it was cared for. Contact a local septic system service for more information.

Waste Content

There is a huge misconception that because the tank is your property, it doesn’t matter what you flush. However, this isn’t the case as you must only flush toilet paper and human waste down your toilets. Never put grease or food particles down your drains, either; only water should go down your drains. If you aren’t careful about what goes down the drains or toilets, you can quickly create difficult clogs or throw off the microbiome of the tank which helps break down solid waste. You can protect the health of your tank by being careful of what goes down.

These are just a few things you should know about your tank. If you’re looking for local septic system service, call Seagraves Plumbing today. We can help with all your septic needs!