If your backyard smells like a failed science experiment, it might be your septic tank asking for a little TLC.
20% of households rely on wastewater systems distinct from Municipal wastewater systems, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. These households mostly rely on wastewater septic systems. A septic system combines a septic tank and leach lines interconnected via a series of pipes. The system directs wastewater from the home’s wastewater drainage line down to the septic tank and over to the leach field. This entire system calls for regular inspection, maintenance, and pumping to ensure longevity, and quality of service, and also keep your system from leaking.
There are several things you can do to keep your onsite wastewater management systems in peak health. In other words, optimum septic system health while keeping your maintenance costs low.
Septic Systems Treat:
• Greywater (often used for outdoor irrigation)
• Water from bathrooms
• Kitchen water
• Laundry water
Microorganisms break down the organic matter before wastewater moves into the drain or leach field.
What to Consider When Choosing the Right Septic Tank
1. It’s good for the environment – responsibly treating wastewater is among our mission statements
2. Keeps your home and neighborhood healthy
3. Keeps bad odor at bay
4. Increases the value of your property
5. Saves you money in replacement and frequent maintenance costs.
How Effluents Move Through the Onsite Wastewater System – From The House to the Soil
1. Solid waste and toilet liquid, along with greywater from bathtubs, sinks, and showers, leave the house via the sewer pipe.
2. The materials are transported to the septic tank underneath via the sewer pipe.
3. The septic tank’s first compartment is where the waste treatment starts. Here, lighter waste items like oils and greases rise to the top to produce a layer of scum, while heavier waste materials and solids sink to the bottom.
4. The effluent travels to the rear compartment via filters and baffles.
5. After passing via an effluent filter, the wastewater enters the leach lines and empties into the earth.
Cost-Effective DIY Septic System Maintenance Tips for Optimal Onsite Wastewater Systems
We believe in educating and empowering our customers to lower their cost burden. That’s why we’ll start this with 11 reliable and effective DIY tips you can do to lower your maintenance and replacement costs.
Keep the plant life and drainage in check.
Remove trees and shrubs around the leach lines to prevent roots from extending into the pipes. We recommend growing grass to absorb the water and minimize flooding while preventing soil erosion.
Mark off the leach field.
Setting clear boundaries prevents heavy machinery such as cars, trailers, or semi-permanent structures from damaging the perforated pipes.
Only toilet paper goes down the drain.
While fancy flushable wipes or facial tissues may appear innocent, these are potential culprits that may cause septic tank damage. If it’s not toilet paper, throw it in the trash can. Dental floss, feminine products, hair, and diapers should NEVER enter the drain.
Grease will grease you with headaches.
Most of us cannot imagine Southern dishes and soul foods without a dash of grease or fats. As natural as using grease may be in your home, if it goes down the drain, you better have the contact details of your septic system maintenance guy in hand.
Cooling grease hardens and builds up in pipes, similar to how excessive fats in the body clog up the system. Use a separate container to store the grease and once it cools, throw it away. Additionally, dairy products such as cream, milk, or butter could send a bad message to your septic system due to a lack of oxygen to break down dairy.
Assess your water usage and intervals.
While undesirable chemicals and materials could be causing the wastewater system problems, an excess of liquid or solid waste could also be the issue. Start by installing water-saving appliances. Divert the roof water away from the leach field and into reliable rainwater collection systems. Fix all leaks. Most importantly, space out laundry and dishwasher loads to avoid system overload. Spacing out your water usage gives the system time to treat the wastewater. Uneaten food, fats, and other recyclable solid waste can go into the food waste recycling or compost pile rather than down the sink.
Minimal usage of antibacterials.
Using soap and bleach agents with antibacterial properties might be good on clothes and surfaces but it works hard to kill bacteria in your septic tank. These bacteria create a balance in the septic tank’s ecosystem by eating away at incoming waste. However, the bacteria takes long to build up. This process keeps waste from filling up too fast hence minimizing the regularity of septic tank pumping.
Instead of using a drain cleaner, which has the same effect as bleach, try a toilet drain snake or a plunger which works on both clogged bathroom and kitchen sinks. Switch from disinfectants and chemical-based toilet bowl cleaners to natural or plant-based cleaning alternatives. Baking soda ranks among the most affordable cleaners that won’t interfere with the health of your septic system. Two tablespoons of lemon mixed with ½ cup vinegar and ¼ cup baking soda is an easier DIY solution for cleaning the grime and dirt of your tub and clearing the septic system. Thank us later.
Go easy on bacterial additives.
Bacterial additives will help break down the solid waste thereby keeping your septic system functional in the long run. This acts as an add-on to the naturally occurring bacteria already in the system. Some of these organic additives will help break down unnatural substances including soaps and bleach. Home-made bacterial solutions of sugar, dry yeast, cornmeal, and water solution will do the trick.
Notwithstanding, EPA and local regulations recommend avoiding additives like Rid-X as they are detrimental to the health of your septic system's waste treatment process. If you only throw tissues as solid waste and keep all the tips mentioned, you may not need an organic bacterial additive.
Conduct regular inspections.
We recommend regular inspections around your septic system and leach field to identify potential signs of septic system failure. Leaking tanks equals more nutrients in wastewater released hence look out for areas with dense or lush grass. Strong smells indicate leaks or a full septic tank. Gurgling noises in sinks, tubs, and toilets could point to a clogged vent. It's also wise to have a technician conduct a general inspection, especially during pumping as a rule of thumb. They can also inspect the baffles to ensure they are not broken, missing, or deteriorated.
Install vent screens and avoid covering vents.
Ensure your landscaping does not interfere with the vent system. Covering the vents can block the airflow which could be detrimental. Also, winter septic system care involves regularly clearing snow and ice from the vent opening to avoid vent pipe blockages. We recommend installing vent screens to maintain airflow and prevent debris and pests from invading your system. These tips for septic system vent maintenance ensures a reliable airflow system all year round.
DIY septic unclogging tips.
While we recommend having a trained professional handle issues with clogged septic systems, there are several things you can do to clear the drain. Use a plunger or a drain snake if you suspect a clogged septic system. Enzyme-based cleaners are another option.
Maintain maintenance record.
Such records help you determine the frequency of adding bacterial additives. Additionally, it's easier to pinpoint problems in your onsite wastewater management before they become too much.
Extra Tips for Professional Onsite Waste Water System Care
Ensuring sufficient septic system ventilation
As the effluent in your wastewater system decomposes, it releases methane that can build up pressure inside the septic tank. Lack of proper ventilation not only releases odors but also risks having methane enter your living spaces. This could pose significant health risks to occupants.
Installing an effluent filter
Your professional maintenance crew will help you install an effluent filter on the outlet of the septic tank and grease trap. The filter increases the lifespan of the leach field by preventing septic backups or clogs that may result in flooding. You can have the effluent filter cleaned during septic tank pumping before reaching its maximum lifespan of 3 to 5 years.
Regular septic tank pumping Texas
No matter how big your septic system is, it’s going to need a drain every once in a few years depending on your maintenance. The average cost of pumping a residential septic tank ranges anywhere from $350 depending on the size of your tank. That’s where our professional team of septic tank pumping in Texas comes in. You can trust us to get our hands dirty so you can stay clean and with peace of mind.
How Long Will My Septic System Last?
The lifespan of a well-designed and maintained septic system can range anywhere from 20 to 30 years. Some of our clientele have a track record of over 50 years using the same septic tank with proper maintenance. The lifespan of a septic tank can vary depending on the factors mentioned above. On average, a well-maintained concrete septic tank can last anywhere from 40 to 50 years. Fiberglass tanks have a slightly shorter lifespan of around 30 years, while plastic tanks may need to be replaced after 15 to 20 years. That said, the soil quality, percolation rate, and tank material are all factors that will determine how often to replace a septic tank.
How Do I Know My Septic Tank is Full or Needs Replacing?
We generally want to prevent septic tank overflow. The tell-tale signs that your septic tank is full and needs pumping or replacement include:
1. Weird gurgling water noises
2. Unpleasant odors from your yard
3. Lush grass/overgrown vegetation in the leach field
4. Drains are taking forever
5. Standing water over your septic tank
6. Your septic system is approaching its lifespan
Replace Your Septic System with Plastic Mart
If you need a new septic tank or any other type of water storage tank, contact us today. Our team of specialists is ready to assist you with all your tank needs from start to finish. Whether you require a standard plastic tank or a custom order, we have the knowledge and expertise to help you reach your goal.
Our specialty is custom plastic tanks, and we can create just about any type or size that fits your requirements. Our rotational mold process allows us to produce any size or shape, ensuring that we can meet your specific needs. Whether you need a small water tank for residential use or a large industrial tank for commercial applications, Plastic-Mart has you covered.
Don’t wait until your septic tank fails—be proactive and replace it before it causes costly damage to your property and the environment. Trust Plastic-Mart to provide you with the highest-quality tanks and septic systems services at competitive prices.
