5 Things You Should Know When Owning a Home With a Septic System

Did you know that 1 in 5 households use a septic system for their home? Whether onsite or in a community system, many homes depend on them to treat their wastewater. While they are a good long-term cost-effective option, there are some important things to know about how to care for them.

Have you come into ownership of a home that utilizes a septic system instead of a regular sewage system? It’s important to know as much as you can about its care and maintenance in order to protect your investment. Learn more about it here with these top five points.

1. Lifespan of a Septic Tank

If properly cared for, a septic tank has a lifespan of 20-30 years. Cleaning your septic tank often is important because it can help some tanks last even longer. Septic tanks can be made of plastic, fiberglass, polyethylene, concrete, and steel, and what a tank is made of can also affect when it needs to be replaced.

2. Workings of the System

For those that aren’t familiar with septic systems, it is a wastewater collection and treatment system that is located underground outside your home. It works by having wastewater flow out of the house into a tank where it gets broken down in an anaerobic process while decomposing. Then it drains into the field and percolates up into the soil, and then the whole cycle begins again.

3. Avoid Blocked Pipes

In addition to natural waste, what you put into your septic system is important. Don’t flush anything that isn’t biodegradable down the toilet. Avoid putting things down the toilet or sinks like bleach products, coffee grounds, solid food, and oil so that you don’t clog up the pipes.

4. Septic Tank Warning Signs

One of the first signs of a failing septic system is bad odors coming from your toilet. If you hear water gurgling when you run water, this could be another sign that something is blocking the pipes and that there’s an issue. The same goes for water backing up in your toilet, sink, or washing machine–it might indicate that the wastewater has nowhere to go.

5. Clean Your Septic System

Like any other system, your septic system should be cleaned regularly. Get it pumped to help things flow better and keep it from clogging. If you were wondering how often, check out this guide online for answers!

Learn About Your Septic System

Now that you’ve learned the top things that you should know when owning a septic system, it will hopefully inspire you to do more research. Understanding your septic system will save you time and money in the long run. Invest in regular cleaning and maintenance that will help improve its lifespan.

Did you find this article about septic systems helpful? Want to learn more about similar topics? Then take a look at the rest of this site for other useful tips.