FAQ

What You Need to Know About Your Septic Tank

How Often Should My Septic Tank Be Pumped?

• It depends on how many people are living in your home as well as your lifestyle.
  • If it's two adults and one or two small children, every three years is recommend.
  • If there more adults or if there are teenagers in the home, the septic tank should be pumped every two years.
  • If your lifestyle involves a great deal of physical activity that results in extra showers and laundry, you might want to get your tank pumped every two years.

What Should I Do To Keep My Septic System in Good Working Order?

• Add yeast, Ridex or other similar products to your septic system. Follow the directions on the package. These products help keep your septic system in correct working order and help balance the anti-bacterial soaps and detergents which kill the good bacteria in your septic system.
• Check to make sure the rain water from your roof, gutters, and foundation drains do not flow over or into the septic system.
• If your septic tank system is 15 - 20 years old, consider replacing the baffle. The baffle keeps the solids in the tank and out of your drainage field.
• Compost garbage or put it in the trash rather than using a garbage disposal.
• Conserve water.
• Flushing solvents, oils, paints, thinners, disinfectants, pesticides or poisons down the drain will kill bacteria that help purify sewage and can contaminate your groundwater.

What Shouldn't I Put In My Septic Tank?

• Do not flush baby or toddler wipes, even if the packaging states they are septic safe. These wipes bind together and can block the outflow screen to the drainage field.
• Do not flush cigarette butts, cotton swabs, cat box litter, sanitary napkins, tampons, disposable diapers or condoms. They are not biodegrade.

How Do I Protect My Drainage or Leach Field?

• Plant only grass over your drain field.
• Do not dig into your drain field or build anything over it.
• Do not drive over your drain field or compact the soil.
• Do not empty large quantities of water from hot tubs, or whirlpools, especially if they are chlorinated. Large quantities of water will push solids from your septic tank into a drainage field.
• Drain fields are usually designed for a limited amount of water usage per bedroom per day.