Maintain your septic system

When buying a home that is not on a central sewer system, you will want to know the age and capacity of the septic tank and drainfield. Obtain a copy of the permit and the as-built plans, if possible. You also should know if the system’s location endangers the water supply and if the drainfield and soil will work properly year-round under all weather conditions.

To properly maintain a septic tank, inspect it at least once every two years and pump it out if necessary. Factors determining the frequency of pump-outs include tank size, sewage volume and the solids content. For instance, using a garbage disposal can increase solids by 50 percent.

With ordinary use, septic tanks should be cleaned out every three to five years. Failure to do so may result in solids or greases overflowing into the drainfield, which may become clogged and stop functioning. If this happens, the tank must be pumped out and the drainfield also may need to be replaced.

Tips

(from the Florida Department of Health)

• Know the location and capacity of your septic tank system and have a licensed contractor inspect the tank at least every three years. Keep records of inspections, pumping activity, repairs and other work.
• Install the system so that rainfall and surface water will flow away from the drainfield and at an appropriate distance from nearby waterways.
• Install water conservation devices or fixtures to reduce the total volume of water entering the system, and keep toilets and faucets in good repair to prevent leakage and wasting of water.
• Do not perform all machine washing in one day — one large laundry load can use up to 60 gallons of water and overwhelm the whole septic system with excess wastewater.
• Commercial septic tank additives do not eliminate the need for periodic cleanout by a permitted septic tank cleaning company.
• Never flush paper towels, newspapers, plastic, diapers, cat litter, rags, sticks or toxic materials, such as pesticides, into the system.
• Never overuse ordinary household cleaning chemicals that will be flushed into the system, and never use chemical solvents to clean plumbing lines or a septic tank system. These and other similar products can kill the microorganisms that consume harmful wastes in the system and can pollute the groundwater.
• Never plant trees or shrubbery within 30 feet of the drainfield. Instead, grow grass or small plants above the septic system to hold the drainfield in place. Waterwise landscaping plants can help control excess runoff.
• Never allow vehicles to drive across or park on the drainfield.
• Cooking oils and grease should never be washed down the sink drain, because the type of microorganisms found in septic tanks and drainfields do not survive or function well in solidified grease.