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To
maximize the useful life of a septic system and prevent premature failure,
all systems require proper care and periodic maintenance. King County,
Washington’s Public Health Department recommends the following proper
care procedures.
-
Inspect
your septic tank once every year and pump as necessary.
Solids will eventually fill the tank and pass them into the drain field,
mound or sand filter, which can lead to expensive repairs.
- Avoid
flushing harmful material into the septic tank.
Never put grease, any kind of paper (other than toilet paper),
cigarettes, coffee grounds, sanitary napkins, solvents, oils, paint,
caustic chemicals or pesticides into the tank.
- Avoid
the use of any type of chemical or biological septic tank additive.
Additives do not improve the performance in a septic tank. They are not
a substitute for routine pumping, and some can be harmful to the system
or the environment.
- Use
water wisely.
Keep the amount of wastewater entering the septic system well below the
"daily designed flow," which is the maximum number of gallons
the system is designed to handle per day. For a three-bedroom house, the
daily designed flow in gallons per day (gpd) is 450; for a four-bedroom
house, it’s 480 gpd. A septic system cannot be run at its peak
capacity for very long without problems developing. Using more water
than the system is designed to manage is one of the leading causes of
premature septic system failure.
To
reduce the risk of water overloads, use "low flow" fixtures on
faucets, showerheads, and toilets (many newer homes come with low flow
fixtures). Front loading washing machines use considerably less water than
top load models. Do laundry throughout the week, rather than all on a single
day. Promptly repair all leaky faucets and toilets.
- Limit
garbage disposal use.
A garbage disposal can lead to a significant increase in solid build-up
and waste strength problems in a septic system. Therefore, they are not
recommended for use with a septic system. If your house already has one,
limit the amount that it is used.
- Don't
construct patios, carports, decks or use landscaping plastic over the
drain field or septic tank.
The system should be kept accessible for proper maintenance and repair
and the drain fields need oxygen in order to work properly. When soil is
compacted, the drain field paved over or covered, oxygen cannot get into
the soil.
- Keep
all vehicles off the septic tank and drain field areas.
Vehicular traffic is a major cause of damage to septic systems. Septic
tanks are typically not designed for vehicular traffic and may crack or
collapse as a result. Drain field pipes can be easily crushed by cars
being driven over them. Vehicles also compact the surrounding soil,
which prevents proper drainage.
- Direct
water from roof drains and surface drainage away from the drain field
and septic tank.
Additional water from these sources may overload the drain field.
Surface and ground water that enters the septic or pump tank can easily
fail a system even though household water use is well within the design
capacity of the system.
- Don't
dispose of water from hot tubs into the septic tank.
Large volumes of water and residual chlorine can be extremely harmful to
your septic system. Check with local jurisdictions for proper disposal
of water from hot tubs.
- Keep
a detailed record of all maintenance activities.
- Be
aware of the location of all septic system components.
A septic system as-built is the best source of this information. Know
where the septic tank, pump tank, drain field and reserve areas are
located. Protect these areas from impacts of any driveway, out building,
patio, deck, swimming pool, sports court or landscaping projects.
- Don’t
plant trees and shrubs over septic tanks or drain fields.
The water-seeking roots of these plants can damage your home
septic system. Grass or
shallow-rooted plants tend to be the best cover for septic systems.
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