Septic Tank Maintenance in Tallassee, Alabama

Importance of Regular Septic Tank Maintenance

State law mandates that all septic tank installers and pumpers must be licensed by the Alabama Onsite Wastewater Board. Find licensed professionals via the Alabama Onsite Wastewater Board Website.

Contact a licensed expert for cleaning your septic tank and effluent filter every three to five years. Regular maintenance extends the life of your system, avoids costly repairs, and safeguards groundwater from contamination.

Essential Steps for Proper Maintenance

To properly maintain your septic tank system, begin by installing an effluent filter. An effluent filter will signal when your system requires attention. Inadequate maintenance may result in system failure.

Consequences of a Failing Septic System

Failing septic tank systems can:

• Threaten the health of your household
• Cause environmental pollution
• Reduce your property value
• Be expensive to repair

Shield yourself from the dangers of raw sewage and related health issues.

Signs of Potential System Problems

Look for these signs of potential problems in your septic system:

• Soggy areas in the yard
• Toilets or drains that drain slowly
• Gurgling or bubbling sounds in the plumbing
• Sewage odors

Do’s and Don’ts for Septic System Maintenance

Do’s

• Reduce water usage to minimize wastewater for your system
• Address leaks in faucets or toilets
• Redirect roof runoff, downspouts, and surface water away from the drain field
• Install an effluent filter in your tank during the next pumping
• Schedule annual inspections and regular pumpings with a licensed contractor
• Ensure easy access to your septic tank cover for inspections and pumpings with watertight risers and secure lids
• Reach out to your county health department or a professional if you encounter system issues or failure signs
• Keep a detailed record of repairs, pumpings, inspections, and other maintenance activities and pass these on to the next homeowner

Don’ts

• Avoid flushing or pouring coffee grounds, diapers, wipes, sanitary products, medication, cigarette butts, fats, grease, oil, paints, thinners, kitchen waste, dental floss, kitty litter, tampons, condoms, paper towels, varnishes, waste oils, or pesticides
• Avoid driving over or compacting the soil of your drain field
• Refrain from digging or building on your drain field, and avoid covering it with concrete or asphalt
• Only plant grass over or near the drain field, as roots from other plants may damage the drain lines
• Avoid placing a swimming pool close to your septic system
• Don’t use a garbage disposal, or at least limit its usage. Disposals increase solids in your tank by about 50%, so you have to pump your tank more often than normally suggested
• Do not dispose of chemicals or cleansers in your toilet, as they can destroy the bacteria that purify your wastewater and harm the groundwater
• Don’t waste money on septic tank additives. The bacteria needed to treat wastewater are naturally present in sewage. Additives can re-suspend solids causing your drain field to clog. Additives do not eliminate the need for routine pumping of your tank
• Don’t allow backwash from home water softeners to enter the septic tank system
• Never enter a septic tank due to the risk of toxic gases. Contact your local health department or a licensed contractor for guidance on system problems.

Consult our Homeowner’s Guide and Record-Keeping Folder for detailed maintenance records and further guidance on septic tank care.

Give us a call now at (888) 860-0649 to request a free in-home estimate.