Septic System Maintenance

The reason for pumping a septic tank is to prevent solids from building up to a point where they begin overflowing and exiting the septic tank and potentially plugging other components of the septic system. With today’s modern systems, we recommend a minimum of every 2 years. Number of household residents also plays a role in the recommended pumping frequency. Many municipalities are now adopting this minimum 2-year guideline.

One of Micsky Excavating & Septic Systems’ trained professionals can spot the location of an existing tank simply by looking for variations in the ground’s characteristics. There are also locating devices designed for this task, such as probe rods and electronic locating equipment that can be flushed down the toilet.

Many contributing factors can lead to septic system failure. Not pumping the septic tank on a routine basis greatly increases the chance of system failure. Other reasons may be pump(s) failures, lack of routine maintenance, improper disposal of household products and cleaning agents, excessive water usage, or groundwater entering a leaking system component. An older system may have been incorrectly built on unsatisfactory soil conditions, which can simply not absorb the household water.

The most common harmful items we routinely find being used in the household are cleaning products containing chlorine bleach. This includes chlorine bleach being used in the laundry, toilet bowl cleaning products containing chlorine bleach, and salt brine backwash from water softener units.

Many septic system component manufacturers will void all company warranties if salt brine backwash is found to be discharging into the septic system.

NEVER FLUSH THE FOLLOWING:

• Bandage wrappers
• Bones
• Cigarette butts 
• Coffee grounds
• Condoms
• Dental floss
• Disposable diapers
• Plastic bandages
• Sanitary napkins
• Tampon applicators
• Tampons

These items won’t break down. Throw them in the trash. Otherwise, they accumulate in your septic tank. 

Petroleum-based and latex paints will inactivate the bacteria located inside your septic tank and can pollute the groundwater.

The definition of a failing septic system is improperly treated water/sewage entering the environment. Many homeowners have failing septic systems and never know they have a problem. The household drains seem to be working correctly from inside the home. The problem exists outside the home. Where is all that water going? Many instances are of overflow pipes going over a hillside, gravel trenches that are supposed to absorb the effluent, but only work during the dry seasons of the year. Take the time to walk around your property. Wet spots in the yard, unknown purpose pipes, and constant water in road ditches can be indicators of potential problems. If you are unaware of where your septic system is located, that is also a good indicator that your system may not be functioning properly.

The bacteria located in the septic tank cannot efficiently digest the waste from a garbage disposal unit.  More frequent tank pumping would result and the potential for excessive solids passing through the septic tank would increase the chances of premature failure for the entire septic system.  We strongly recommend not using a garbage disposal when connected to a septic system.

NEVER ENTER A SEPTIC TANK! DEATH CAN RESULT!

Depending on the system type, detailed maintenance instructions should be given to the homeowner by the system’s installer at the time of installation.

If you have an existing system that was installed in the past, at a minimum the septic tank should be pumped out if it has not been done so in the past few years. When having the septic tank pumped, ask the operator to inspect the entire septic system and have them explain in detail the operation of the system and its components. The type of system will determine the maintenance required.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) has a minimum of maintenance requirements for some types of septic systems. Local municipalities may also have minimum maintenance requirements that supersede PADEP.  In some instances the homeowner can be trained to do this maintenance. So the answer is dependent upon the type of system you may have.

Nearly all of today’s modern septic systems and their components require regularly scheduled maintenance visits by trained technicians to maintain the company’s product warranties. These companies do require a maintenance contract to be signed upon system startup, or during the permitting process.