Maintenance Guidelines

Septic Maintenance Guidelines

Proper design, installation and maintenance of your septic system will maximize your system's life. It will prevent failures that can be unsightly, foul-smelling and threatening to your family's health. Good maintenance reduces the risk of contaminating your well water and may save you from costly repairs or system replacement. Tanks generally need to be pumped out every 2 years, depending on use, the size of the tank and the number of people in the house.

Septic Cloggers and Killers

Maintenance Tips
Inside:
  • Conserve water to extend the life and increase the efficiency of your septic system. Fix leaks and drips. If you replace old fixtures, install new “low flow” types.
  • Do no overload the system – this is the primary cause of system failures. Early morning and bedtime are peak use times in the bathroom. Run dishwashers and washing machines at other times of the day. Don't do all the family laundry in one day.
  • Do not use a garbage disposal or dump coffee grounds in the sink. Increasing the load of solids into the tank decrease the capacity and shortens the interval between pumping.
  • Do not pour fats and oils down the drain. They can build up and clog the septic tank pipes.
  • Do not put paper towels, tissue, cigarette butts, disposable diapers, personal products in the toilet.
  • Do not ad “starter enzymes” or “yeast” to your system. Additives do not improve the performance of your system; there are always plenty of natural bacteria available to do the job. In fact, additives can damage your system by braking up the sludge and scum layers, causing solids to flush out of the tank and clog the infiltration bed.
  • Use normal amounts of detergents, bleach, drain cleaners, household cleaners and other products. Avoid dumping solvents like dry cleaning fluid, pesticides, photographic chemicals, paint thinner or auto products down the drain.
  • Outside:
  • Tanks generally need to be pumped every 2 years, depending on use, the size of the tank and number of people in the house. If the tank gets too full particles of scum or sludge will flush out of the tank. This material will clog the drain tiles and cause the septic system to fail.
  • The tank should be pumped out through the manhole cover, not the smaller inspection ports. The tank should be emptied completely. Do not clean the tank with any chemical. Make sure the baffles are inspected for any damage/decay and that the tank is checked for cracks and leaks.
  • Direct down spouts and runoff away from the septic field to avoid saturating the area with excess water.
  • Dense grass cover and other shallow rooted plants are beneficial over a septic field. However, do not plant trees near an absorption field because large plant roots can clog or break pipes.
  • Avoid compacting the soil over the absorption field. Do not drive or park vehicles over the area and don't build a shed or driveway in this area. These activities can also crack pipes or cause the distribution box to settle unevenly, meaning that effluent will only flow into part of the drain field.
Research of Information by: Thomas H. Miller and Paula A. Eubanks Maryland Cooperative Extension, University of Maryland, College Park – Eastern Shore
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