Avoid Septic Tank Problems With These 10 Easy Tips

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How Can I Tell if Something is Wrong with My Septic Tank?

For most people, your septic tank is out of sight and out of mind. Hey, no judgment. Why would you be thinking about it? It’s literally buried in your backyard. However, if you get that sinking feeling that something is wrong with your septic system and the sooner you can identify the problem, the sooner you can fix it, and the less chance you have of a serious backup!

Here are a few of the symptoms of a backed-up or broken septic system that might be about to become a problem:

  • Wet spots near the tank
  • Slow or clogged drains
  • Gurgling sounds
  • Bad Smells (inside or outside the house, or both)

If you’re having these problems persistently, it may mean you already have serious issues with your septic tank. It may need to be pumped, or the system may have broken or failed in some way. Either way, it’s time to get a plumbing professional involved, because trying to DIY a broken or overflowing septic tank can leave you ankle deep in…well, you get the picture.

Our expert technicians are here to help. Contact us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 505-761-9644, or request service online.

How Do I Avoid A Septic Tank Emergency?

Okay, so you don’t have any of the above symptoms and it seems like your septic tank is okay. Whew, that’s a relief! But if you’re anything like us, looking into the problems you might have with an overflowing or faulty septic system immediately makes you wonder what you can do to avoid standing in the middle of your back yard in a weird wet patch wondering why your lawn smells like sewage.

Well, fear not! We have ten super helpful tips to keep your lawn smelling fresh, your drains clear, and the contents of your septic tank inside the tank. 

1. Pump your septic tank every 3–5 years.

If you own your own house, you know: the key to avoiding most emergencies is to understand the problem, plan for the solution, and make a regular schedule to make sure it gets done. Septic tanks are no different than checking for termites or changing your fire alarm batteries. The good news is, you don’t have to do it nearly as often as either of those things! 

Most tanks can make it 3–5 years between pumping. The exact amount of time depends on the size of the tank (measured in gallons) and the number of people living in your home. If you know the stats on your septic tank, you can work that out, or we can help you figure it out when we come out to inspect your septic tank.

How much does it cost to pump a septic tank?

Pricing for septic tank pumping services vary based on the size of your tank, where you live, and the company you hire. At TLC, standard septic pumping within regular driving distance starts at $275. There are additional charges for a larger-than-normal tank or if you live outside our regular service area.

2. Learn the warning signs of a full tank

Remember those signs we talked about at the top? Gurgling, slow drains, bad smells, and wet spots? You gotta keep those in mind and, as soon as you see them, give us a call so we can prevent things from getting worse.

If you’re having these issues, and your tank has been pumped recently, you might have other problems. For example, the drain field (which we’ll talk about more in a minute) might be damaged. Call a professional to inspect your system immediately.

3. Get septic maintenance done every year

You get oil changes and tune-ups for your car, and annual doctor visits for yourself (we hope). Why? Because catching problems while they’re small keeps things working the way they should and lets you catch issues before they’re catastrophic. The same is true for your septic system!

Our technicians suggest rinsing the filter for your septic inspection once a year. (Again, you don’t need your septic pumped every year.) This is a process you can do on your own with the right equipment, or our technicians can do it for you. It’s important to keep the filter rinsed so that a little blockage doesn’t turn into an expensive (and messy) emergency later. 

4. Be careful what you put down the drain

If it says it’s “flushable” on the package, it must be flushable, right? 

No! Don’t fall for it! The people who put that on the packaging aren’t the ones who are going to be living with the smell when those wet wipes for dudes that sponsored the wrestling pay-per-view block up your whole system.

The only substances that should go down your drains are toilet paper and bath water. Your septic system is not designed to handle anything else.

Here’s a handy list of common troublemakers to avoid flushing down the drain or washing down the drain:

  • Wipes (even if they say “flushable”)
  • Feminine products (they’re built to be absorbent)
  • Grease (so damaging, it’s actually illegal in some places)
  • Coffee grounds (great for your compost, bad for your drains)
  • Food debris (especially fruit and vegetable peels)
  • Wedding rings (even if it is a classic sitcom premise)
  • Your hopes and dreams (you can do it! We believe in you!)

5. Watch your water usage

Excess water use causes unnecessary strain on your septic system and tank capacity. It’s probably not going to be your biggest problem, but it can help your system last longer and save you a ton of cash. 

You don’t need to be paranoid about it, but we do suggest repairing dripping faucets and leaking toilets. It’s amazing how many gallons of dripping water add up over time! Space out laundry loads and consider installing low-flow fixtures to help reduce strain on your tank and drain field.

6. Protect your drain field

Okay, by this point, you’re probably asking: What is a drain field? 

Great question! Look at you paying attention! The drain field is the area on the other side of your septic tank that filters water and fluids into the soil after your septic tank has captured any solid waste. If your septic tank held onto every bit of water that went into it, it would fill up in no time, so the drain field allows it to pass on through and back into the soil. 

The drain field can be damaged or blocked if the soil gets compacted or roots grow into the pipes. Avoid parking cars, building structures (like greenhouses or sheds), or planting trees over the drain field.

7. Use septic-safe cleaning products

When it comes to keeping your house running right, you need all the help you can get. Septic tanks produce good bacteria that are beneficial in breaking down waste. You want that in your system! 

Unfortunately, harsh chemicals kill the good bacteria. We suggest using cleaning products that are biodegradable or are marked “septic-safe.”

Pro Tip: You can actually encourage the growth of good bacteria in your drains and septic system by adding enzymes. Our drain experts suggest using Lenzyme, which is available for purchase and pickup at TLC. You can order by phone at 505-761-9644 on regular business days from 7 am to 5 pm.

8. Keep a log of pumping and maintenance visits

Okay, we know this one isn’t the most exciting suggestion, but it’s also not as hard as it sounds. You might keep a file of your pet’s veterinary records, receipts for maintenance on your car, or mark your calendar so you don’t miss wishing that one aunt a happy birthday and end up getting a “not angry, just disappointed” call from your mom. 

The same thing is helpful for your septic tank! Writing down the dates of inspections, repairs, and pumping will help you keep things straight. You can even jot it down on your online calendar just so it’s easily searchable. It’s also super helpful if you ever sell your home!

9. FYI, you shouldn’t DIY

Can we be real with you for a moment? Odds are very good that you are not a pirate, but if that is your dream, we highly recommend you live it out by buying a parrot or even going sailing. Digging up your backyard is not the way, nor is a broken septic system buried treasure.

Septic systems appear straightforward, but they’re more complex than you think. Some repairs can even be dangerous. We strongly suggest you leave major repairs to the professionals. (And yes, we mean ourselves.)

10.Educate household members on septic safety

We know it can be hard to get teens to listen to the exciting tales of septic adventure, but we promise if they know what their whole house could smell like after clogging the septic system, they’ll remember. 

It’s important to make sure everyone in your home (even house guests) is aware of what not to flush, what kinds of products to use, and how not to overload the system.

Whether you’re a septic pro or this is your first time, you’ve got TLC in your corner.

Our expert technicians are here to help, whether you need an annual inspection, septic pumping, or emergency repairs. Contact us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 505-761-9644, or request service online.