If your home relies on a septic tank system to safely dispose of sewage and wastewater, it is probably buried beneath your property’s lawn. This is because lawns make highly effective drainfields, which prevent raw sewage and other contaminants from poisoning local groundwater supplies as they exit your tank.
If you’re not sure if your septic tank system is functioning properly, the grass growing directly over your system can help you better understand your system. Unusual grass growth can be an early warning sign of serious septic tank problems. Knowing what’s happening when you spot the following signs can potentially save you thousands of dollars in septic system repair bills.
A septic tank is one of the most important installations in your property. The tank functions as an on-site sewage plant where domestic wastewater from the house passes through for treatment. However, septic leaks and structural issues are hazardous and can affect your property and the environment.
Therefore, you should be careful during the installation phase to avoid future complications. Here are factors to consider before you install a septic tank.
Authorization
You must have a permit to install a septic tank on your property. This is because poor installation or waste treatment procedures will lower underground water quality and harm people who use it. Therefore, the government regulates the installation and use of septic tanks through licensing.
Contact a professional for more information about the permitting process.
Your septic system is designed to use bacteria and the filtering action of the earth’s soil to carry away your household’s wastewater, clean it, and return it to the ground. The process is, for the most part, a natural one, and can be sustainable and green as long as you take certain basic steps.
1. Understand Your Septic System
The more you know about how your septic system works and impacts the groundwater, the better you will be able to use and maintain it in an environmentally friendly manner. Your system consists of three major components:
Are you new to septic tank use? Do you need to know more about when to schedule a pumping service? If this is your first home with a septic system, take a look at the top tank pumping questions homeowners have.
What can and can’t you put in a septic tank? If you’re not sure what is safe to flush, take a look at the dos and don’ts of home septic tank use.
Do Use Single-Ply Toilet Paper
Even though thick, quilted, multiple-ply paper may seem like the most comfortable option, your septic tank won’t agree. Your tank needs paper that breaks down quickly — and double-ply options won’t. The thicker the paper, the longer it lingers in your home’s system.
Most homeowners use standard household cleaners without giving much thought to the way those cleaners can affect their home’s wastewater drainage system.
If you are a homeowner with a septic tank, however, you should be aware of the ways that cleaning products can disrupt the natural processes that take place in your septic tank. If you use the right cleaning products, you can protect your septic tank and promote optimal functionality. Here’s what you need to know.
You may have growing children or decide to rent out part of the property to a couple. No matter the reason, every new person adds strain to your septic system. At some point, you may need to consider upgrading your septic system to accommodate your household growth. Here is how you can tell when it’s time to make a change.
Pay Attention to the Signs from Your Septic Tank
Your septic system will let you know of abuse or overuse in a few ways. Generally, any increase in septic tank problems can indicate your household has grown too large for your current septic tank solution. Some examples of this include:
If you have a septic tank in your yard, then you need to ensure you are taking every step that you can take to preserve the integrity of your septic system drain field. A typical septic system drain field can last 20 years or longer without needing replacement.
However, the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) reports that over half of all septic systems fail before they reach this age, often due to problems with the drain field. Read on to learn three common septic tank drain field problems and how to prevent each one.
Septic tanks are large underground tanks that fill up with household wastewater slowly over many months. When a septic tank fills up with enough water, that wastewater filters into the soil, where it is naturally cleaned and reintroduced into the groundwater supply.
Septic tanks need special care compared to sewers. Some things that have no effect on sewers can have a big effect on septic tanks. If you are new to septic tank ownership and used to having a sewer, this information can help you avoid a clog or serious septic tank damage. Here is what you need to know.
Many of the homes sold each year have a private septic system. In fact, according to the United States Bureau of the Census, more than 60 million Americans utilize private septic systems, instead of public sewer systems.
Even though these numbers show how common private septic systems are in homes, first-time homeowners may still experience some confusion about their role in maintaining one. If you are one of these homeowners, the following tips will offer you a basic guide to help you become competent and proficient in your new role as septic system owner.
A septic tank is one of the most important installations in your property. The tank functions as an on-site sewage plant where domestic wastewater from the house passes through for treatment. However, septic leaks and structural issues are hazardous and can affect your property and the environment.
Your septic system is designed to use bacteria and the filtering action of the earth’s soil to carry away your household’s wastewater, clean it, and return it to the ground. The process is, for the most part, a natural one, and can be sustainable and green as long as you take certain basic steps.
