4 Things To Know About Living With Your First Septic Tank
Owning a septic tank is a big responsibility because if you abuse your septic system, you might face expensive repairs. You can't live in your home and use it comfortably when the septic tank backs up, so proper maintenance is essential. Here are four things to know about owning a septic tank.
1. Keep The Area Above The Tank Clear
The only thing that should be above the tank is grass. This includes both the tank itself and the drainfield. Don't build a shed, plant trees, or put an aboveground pool above a septic system, or the tank and drainfield may run into problems with the excess weight or tree roots. Plus, you want the tank to be easy to find, and one way to do that is to keep the area clear and have a small riser installed over the tank lid so it's always easy to see.
2. Know The Condition Of The Tank
You may want a contractor to examine your tank right after you buy a property with a septic system. You can find out if you have a metal or plastic tank and if it's in good condition or if it needs repairs. You'll also find out how full the tank is so you know if it needs to be pumped and how often you should expect to pump the tank.
3. Learn About Factors That Affect The Tank
The size of a septic tank is usually decided at the time the home is built, and the tank is chosen according to how many bedrooms are in the house. If the home has had more bedrooms added and has more people living in it than expected or if a garbage disposal has been added, the tank might be smaller than you need, and that means it will fill up faster.
Also, if your family flushes things that don't dissolve fast or put a lot of food through the disposal, the tank fills up quicker than you expect. Even using too much water can affect the septic tank. You may want to practice water conservation and use the garbage disposal sparingly so your tank can function optimally.
4. Find Out How To Protect The Tank
When you have your septic tank inspected, talk to the contractor about how you can care for the tank in all seasons of the year, especially if you've just moved to a new climate and aren't used to dealing with freezing winters.
You may need to cover the septic tank with straw to insulate it just as you insulate outdoor pipes and spigots during the winter. You might also need to have the tank cleaned in the event of a flood in your backyard after a spring rain.
To learn more, contact a resource that offers septic system services.
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