Septic Tank Maintenance in York, AL

Importance of Regular Septic Tank Maintenance

The Alabama Onsite Wastewater Board requires all septic tank installers and pumpers to be licensed by state law. Licensed technicians can be found using the Alabama Onsite Wastewater Board Website.

You should contact a licensed technician to clean your septic tank and effluent filter every three to five years. Maintenance will increase the lifespan of your system, prevent expensive repairs, and protect groundwater from harmful contamination.

Essential Steps for Proper Maintenance

Proper maintenance of your septic tank system starts with installing an effluent filter. This filter will notify you when it’s time to service the system. Neglecting system maintenance can lead to system failure.

Consequences of a Failing Septic System

Failing septic tank systems can:

• Threaten the health of your household
• Pollute the environment
• Reduce your property value
• Be expensive to repair

Protect yourself from raw sewage and illnesses caused by sewage.

Signs of Potential System Problems

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

• Damp spots on your property
• Drains or toilets with slow drainage
• Unusual gurgling noises from your drains
• Foul sewage smells

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
• Include an effluent filter in your tank when it is next pumped
• 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
• Contact your local health department or a licensed contractor if you notice problems or potential system failure
• Keep a detailed record of repairs, pumpings, inspections, and other maintenance activities and pass these on to the next homeowner

Don’ts

• Don’t flush or pour: coffee grounds, disposable diapers, wipes, sanitary napkins, medication, cigarette butts, fats, grease, oil, paints, thinners, kitchen scraps, dental floss, kitty litter, tampons, condoms, paper towels, varnishes, waste oils, or pesticides
• Don’t drive over your drain field or compact the soil
• Don’t dig in your drain field or build anything over it, and don’t cover it with a hard surface such as concrete or asphalt
• Don’t plant anything over or near the drain field except grass. Roots from nearby trees and shrubs may clog and damage the drain lines
• Avoid placing a swimming pool close to your septic system
• Minimize or avoid using a garbage disposal as it increases solids in the tank by about 50%, requiring more frequent pumpings
• Do not dispose of chemicals or cleansers in your toilet, as they can destroy the bacteria that purify your wastewater and harm the groundwater
• Do not invest in septic tank additives as the required bacteria are already present in sewage. Additives can cause clogging by resuspending solids and are not a substitute for regular pumping
• Prevent backwash from water softeners from entering 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.

Check out our Homeowner’s Guide and Record-Keeping Folder for maintenance tracking and additional information on septic tank upkeep.

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