If you have a septic system, you know that it can be an expensive and complicated process if not appropriately maintained.
Below is a septic system maintenance checklist to follow that will help you maintain your system and avoid any major issues that could affect your home or even worse your health.
- Inspect and clean your septic tank regularly.
- Don’t overload your leach field.
- Keep it simple when it comes to what you put down the drain.
- Pump your septic tank at the first sign of problems.
1. Inspections
To keep your septic system operating efficiently, you should have it inspected by a professional at least every three years. In most states, this is a requirement. This inspection will check for damage, cracks, or other structural issues with your tank. It also tests for sediment build-up at the bottom of the tank and any problems with the drain field. An inspection can also reveal whether you have too much sludge in your tank. This can happen when solids in wastewater settle at the bottom instead of floating to the top where they can be pumped out.
2. Don’t overload your leach field
The leach field is where water from inside your house drains into the ground, so you don’t want to overfill it with too much wastewater. Overfilling can cause the wastewater to back up into your house or even flood other areas of your property if there’s nowhere else for it to go. But how do you know how much wastewater your leach field can handle? That depends on several factors including:
- the size of your home
- how many fixtures are draining into it (like toilets),
- and how often those fixtures are being used (think showers versus toilets).
3. Keep it Simple
Basic septic care is simple. First, nothing should be put down drains that shouldn’t go into a septic tank. Like paper towels or dental floss for example. Secondly, nothing should be put down a toilet except for human waste and toilet paper. There are other things you can do to keep your system running smoothly, but these are the only things that should go through the pipes. Follow these guidelines and you will be on your way to a healthy system for years to come.
4. Pump your septic tank at the first sign of problems
Last but not least on our septic system maintenance checklist, pump your septic tank! According to the EPA, septic tanks should be pumped every three to five years depending on how many people live in the home and how often water is used. If you notice that your toilet isn’t draining properly or that more water than usual is backing up in your sink or shower, call a professional plumber right away because these are signs that something may be wrong with your plumbing system.
Septic Service Near Me: Tulsa County, Oklahoma
When you are looking for a licensed, reputable septic service near me, it is important to stay away from the cheap plumbers or so-called bargain basement prices. Hire a plumber for your septic system maintenance in Oklahoma who has been in business for several years, has plenty of positive reviews, and offers reliable services at reasonable rates. You need Mullin Septic!
If you need septic service, please call us at (918) 922-7867 or fill out this form and someone will get in touch with you right away to schedule an appointment.
**For more about septic system maintenance, check out frequently asked questions answered by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Who Regulates Septic Systems in Oklahoma?