Do’s and Don’ts for a Healthy Septic System

Keep your drain field area grassed but make sure you cut the grass short to prevent erosion by promoting evaporation.

Do keep an eye out for settlements that might direct water onto the drain field.

Make sure you know the location of the drain field and septic tank. Always have a handy sketch of your septic system and maintenance plan by your side.

Use water-saving toilets instead of the regular ones to decrease the water usage per flush.

If you have any unused and leftover medications, ensure to return them to your dispensary. Also, human excrement from anyone on medication will adversely affect the overall efficiency and performance of your septic tank, resulting in excess pumping needs.

As soon as you notice any signs of system failure, decreased efficiency or frequent issues with your septic system, reach out to a septic service specialist to avoid any major damage.

Dispose of grease with the regular garbage only.

Be careful while disposing of the solids; you should only flush out the wastewater and toilet paper, not baby wipes.

Keep checking your water softener to ensure that it doesn’t cycle water daily. An excessive amount of clean water should not go to your draining field.

Do not permit any vehicle to drive or park over the drain field area.

Do not plant any trees or plants around your drain field area or near your septic tank lid; the plant’s roots can easily clog pipes & can limit access when inspecting or cleaning out your septic tank.

Do not cover your drain field with any hard surface like brick, asphalt and patio stones and don’t build any structure over it.

Do not plant or build anything over your septic tank lid, including wishing wells, decks, or flowers.

Do not water the lawn over your drain field excessively.

Do not install automatic lawn sprinklers in or nearby your drain field.

Do not drain down sprouts, basement sump pumps (groundwater) into the septic system.

Do not dispose of any non-biodegradable or plastic items such as paper towels, sanitary tampons, disposable diapers, condoms, baby wipes, and cigarette butts into your septic system.

Do not let cooking grease go down your septic drains as it solidifies and blocks drainage pipes.

Do not ever put gasoline, oil, solvents, paint thinners, insect killers, or weed down the drain. These items severely damage your drainage system and are likely to cause harm to the water supply of your entire locality.