Preventative Maintenance – Residential
Preventive Maintenance -
Annual Inspection
Precautions and Suggestions - Prevention and Treatment
Proper maintenance of your septic system is important for it to run efficiently and trouble free. Improper maintenance can lead to system failure and expensive repairs.
Home septic systems are often ignored or thought of as merely “the place” where waste and dirty water goes. However, a septic system is a living, breathing, microbiological factory, responsible for digesting organic waste. Without these living processes, septic systems would fill to capacity in a very short period of time.
Proper maintenance of your septic system is important for it to run efficiently and trouble free. Improper maintenance can lead to system failure and expensive repairs. One very common misconception is, if there is not a problem, then no service is required. There is no additive that you can put in the tank that will deal with the sludge. IT MUST BE PUMPED OUT. Although not pumping a system at recommended intervals won't lead to immediate failure, excessive amounts of organics from a full septic tank will flow out and clog the drainage area. All systems require periodic pumpingto remove the solid waste than remains in the tank.
You’re tank could be overflowing solid material RIGHT NOW and you would not even know it until it blocks the soil absorption chambers. This would lead to replacing the entire field line and possibly other expensive repairs.
Schedule an immediate service call if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Wet area or liquid waste around the septic tank
- Toilets running slowly or backing up
- Septic odors in the house
- Septic tank has not been pumped in the past 5 years
Environmental Protection Agency for information to describe how a septic system works and what homeowners can do to help their systems treat wastewater effectively.
Forsyth County Health Department Septic System Owner’s Guide.
ANNUAL INSPECTIONS
- Surfacing of septic water, soggy soil or septic odors indicating that gray water is not being absorbed by the soil.
- Trees or bushes growing where their roots may create clogs or pipe damage.
- Soil compaction over the drainfield possibly caused by vehicles.
- Inside the tank, check for broken or missing baffles and repair if needed.
- Measure the sludge depth and scum mat thickness in the tank to estimate when pumping will be needed.
- Excess sludge in a diverter box indicates the tank needs to be pumped, baffles are broken or water usage is excessive.
- A flooded diverter box indicates the field is not draining and needs cleaning, repair or root removal.
- WARNING: Never enter an empty tank or lean into one without proper equipment or ventilation. Gases present may be toxic or cause suffocation.
PREVENTION AND TREATMENT
The key to maintaining a healthy and trouble free septic system is proper preventive maintenance.
- Pump septic tank at recommended intervals. See suggested pump-out chart.
- Use an activator immediately after pumping to restore bacterial populations.
- Use a porosity restorer to restore malfunctioning drain fields.
- Use a septic maintainer to improve septic tank function, digest grease, paper, detergents, protect drainage areas and control odors.
Tank Size
Gallons |
Number of People in Household |
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
Years Between Pumping |
750 |
9 |
4 |
2.5 |
1.5 |
1 |
- |
1000 |
12.5 |
6 |
4 |
2.5 |
1.5 |
1 |
1250 |
15.5 |
7.5 |
4.5 |
3.5 |
2.5 |
2 |
1500 |
19 |
9 |
6 |
4 |
3 |
2.5 |
American Septic Service & Drain offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
All of our technicians are extensively trained. We are a drug-free company and our employees are security screened for your peace of mind. American Septic Service & Drain employees are dedicated to providing you with excellence service and exceeding your expectations…everyday!
To schedule a technician, call (678) 513-6100
