If you're moving into a home with a septic tank for the first time, you may be unfamiliar with the basics of how the system works. It's important for you to have the fundamentals so that you can avoid causing damage to your plumbing, your home, and your property. Here are a few of the things that you may want to know ahead of time as you settle into your new home.
Your Septic Tank Has A Predetermined Lifespan
Septic tanks don't last forever, and failing to keep up with the expected lifespan can leave you facing a disaster if the tank fails. Most septic tanks, when properly installed and cared for, can last at least 20 years. However, if you don't care for it correctly, you may find that it fails within just a few years.
When you buy the house, find out from the previous owner how long it has been since the tank was installed. That will help you to determine how much time you have until you can expect to have to replace it again. You should also find out how long it has been since it was last pumped. The more proactive you are about keeping it maintained, the longer it will last.
Septic Tank Pumping Frequency Can Change
Most homeowners will have their tank pumped every few years on average, but you may find that you need to have yours done more often in some situations. If you have a large family or regularly have many people in your house, it's likely that you'll need to have the tank pumped more often. For a vacation home or property with only one or two people, you may be able to stretch it to five years or so between pumpings.
It's important to consider the health of your septic system when things change around the house, though. For example, if you're planning on hosting a few large gatherings for the holidays this year, it's a good time to have the tank pumped now so that you avoid any unexpected disasters due to a full tank while you have a house full of guests.
There Are Signs Of Trouble You Should Know
When a septic tank starts to fail or is getting full, there are some indications that will alert you. Knowing what to watch for will help you to know when it's time to call for maintenance and pumping. For example, if you're struggling with slow drains and persistent backups in your toilets, that's often an indication that something isn't flowing correctly.
You should also monitor the area in your yard where the tank was installed. If the grass around that area becomes saturated with moisture, that's a key sign that your tank is seeping. At this stage, you'll probably even notice a sewage odor in the yard and even possibly in the house. Call a septic maintenance company right away if you notice something like this.
Be Selective About Your Landscaping
You might wonder about what you can plant around your septic tank and leach field. While it may seem like a good idea to plant flowers or a garden in that area, it's not recommended. You should never plant anything more than shallow-rooting grass over your septic tank. Remember that anything you plant will have a root system, and that root system can penetrate pipes and tanks. Roots will grow in search of water and nutrients, and septic lines will attract that growth because of their contents. Make sure you keep all of your actual planting well away from those plumbing lines and the tank.
Share2 October 2017
Have you ever wondered what would happen if you left your retail space a mess and then decided to open shop for the day? Although you might assume that your customers could overlook a messy floor or an unorganized sales table, the fact of the matter is that most people will walk right back out of your place. My blog is designed to help small business owners identify their mistakes before their errors cost them their business. Cleanliness and sanitation are important, and so is marketing, employee scheduling, and proper ordering. By learning from other business owners, you might be able to avoid errors so that you can stay successful.
