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 A septic system

is your very own onsite sewage treatment facility. It’s used primarily where access to a municipal sewer system is neither available nor economically practical. A septic system is out of sight & is odorless (when properly maintained). Taking care of your septic system isn't difficult when you follow a few basic guidelines. Following a few simple rules: not using too much water, not depositing materials in the septic tank that bacteria can’t decompose & cleaning out the tank when too many solids build up should help to make a septic system trouble-free for many years.  

When thinking about septic tank maintenance, be mindful about what you & your family put into your septic system. It doesn’t take much to upset the delicate biological balance within the tank. You can extend the life of a septic system by watching everything that’s introduced to the system & by following these maintenance recommendations:

  • Inspect your system & keep accurate records. Regularly inspect your system for proper upkeep & organize your system’s records (diagram, system maintenance, etc.).

  • Pump out your septic tank regularly. A family of 4 living in a home with a 1,000 gallon tank should have their septic system cleaned approximately every 4 years to ensure that solids are properly broken down & will not clog the drain field. Ask your local septic cleaning company how often you should give them a call. Routine pumping can help prevent system failure & increase the longevity of your system.

  • Conserve water & monitor usage. Discharging more water into the system than it can handle can cause it to back up — not a desirable occurrence. Use aerators on faucets & flow reducer nozzles on showers to help lower water consumption, & reduce water levels for small loads of laundry. You might also consider buying energy-efficient appliances. Wait until your dishwasher is full to run your dishwasher or try a shorter dishwashing cycle that uses less water.

  • Don’t use excessive amounts of any household chemicals. Overuse of heavy-duty cleaners kills the beneficial bacteria in a septic tank so solids won't break down as well. Best to avoid them or use them as little as possible. Don’t dump cleaning water for latex paintbrushes & cans into the house sewer. Varnish, paint thinners, motor oils, gasoline, & other similar chemicals can ruin your system as well, & they're also a hazard to groundwater. 

  • Don’t deposit coffee grounds, cooking fats, wet-strength towels (paper towels that don’t dissolve easily, like the heavy-duty kind), disposable diapers, facial tissues, cigarette butts, & other non-decomposable materials into the house sewer. These materials won’t decompose, will fill the septic tank & will plug the system.

  • Use a high-quality toilet tissue that breaks up easily when wet. One way to find out if your toilet paper fits this description is to put a handful of toilet tissue in a fruit jar half-full of water. Shake the jar, & if the tissue breaks up easily, the product is suitable for the septic tank.

  • Avoid dumping grease down the drain. It may plug sewer pipes or build up in the septic tank & plug the inlet. Keep a separate container for waste grease & throw it out with the garbage.

  • Get rid of the garbage disposal which can double the volume of solids added to a septic tank. 

When Problems Arise

If your system goes toes up despite all your diligent care and efforts, you'll know it. The signs are pretty much inescapable. Keep an eye—& your nose—on the drain field. You might notice sewage bubbling up, & you should definitely smell it. But not all signs of system failure are immediately repulsive. If the grass & unwanted weeds are suddenly growing like crazy on the drain field, this could also be a sign that something is wrong.

Of course, you'll know there's a problem if you experience plumbing backup. It doesn't necessarily have to be a complete logjam, either. A slowdown in draining & gurgling sounds can be clues, too. Keep accurate records of each time you have your system serviced & when there's a problem. It will come in very handy the next time you have to call a professional for help.

Before a property can be transferred, the well &/septic system must be tested. 

*If the property is vacant or if there is snow on the ground, the septic system cannot be tested. At closing, an escrow will be set up to cover the cost of a new system in the event the septic system fails when tested after closing.  Call to set up a test before you move out or the snow flies!

How do I find out the location and age of my septic system? The Erie Co. Department of Health keeps records indicating the location & age of many private sewage disposal systems. The homeowner of the property may call (716) 961-6800 to obtain a copy of the record if one is available.

Information from:

https://www.dummies.com/home-garden/plumbing/toilets/how-to-care-for-your-septic-system/

https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-care-for-a-septic-tank-and-septic-system-1797876

https://www.farmersalmanac.com/maintain-your-septic-system-naturally-20795