Septic Maintenance

How a septic system actually works

• Water and sewage from sink, showers, toilets, etc. enter the septic tank by a 4” pipe.

• When the tank fills to the top, the solids collect in the bottom while the liquid runs off the top to the distribution box.

• The distribution box allows the liquid to run into a system of perforated pipes, evenly spaced, where it drains into the surrounding area through many small holes.

Simple maintenance tips

• Avoid putting baking oils down drains or into toilets

• Avoid the overuse of anti-bacterial soaps as it slows down the bacterial action in your tank.

• Avoid putting women’s hygiene products down the toilet.

• Avoid using salt in water softeners as it tends to corrode concrete.

Septic tank main

• Tanks should be pumped every 2 to 3 years.

• More often if you have poor drainage or very high volume of cleaning products or usage (rentals, Air BnB, large homes)

Why should we pump our septic tank?

• Avoid costly repairs.  If you wait too long, it could be costly to repair (sewer backup into your home, etc.)

• It could stop working at the most inconvenient time – in the middle of the winter or an event.

• Save the environment – a full septic tank could saturate and pollute the surrounding area including creeks, ponds and lakes.

• Tanks close to the surface can freeze during the winter months if not used regularly.

• Septic tanks not used regularly also tend to fill quicker as the bacterial action stops working when not used.  (Part time users should have their tanks pumped just as often as full time users) - *Talk to us about our bacteria boosters*

• Full tanks could give off a foul smell, affecting the neighborhood.

• plugged or saturated drainage can contaminate your local water sources