3 Summer Septic System Hacks to Keep Things Flushing Smoothly

1. Make Sure Your Septic System Has Been Recently Serviced

We recommend every household with a septic tank have it pumped every 2-3 years, in fact, some areas have ordinances on how often you have your tank cleaned out. Check with your county or township to find out if you live in such an area. If you’ve recently purchased a home with a septic system and you’re not sure when the tank was last pumped, we recommend you schedule a site visit for us to perform a septic inspection and pump out the tank if necessary. During a routine site inspection, we’ll make sure all components are working properly and go over the ins and outs of your septic system so you’re knowledgeable of the tank, drainfield, and where each part is located.

2. Stagger Water Usage When it Comes to Sprinklers and Pools

In the Twin Tiers region, we’ve experienced some very wet summers in recent years. Your drainfield is designed to handle a certain amount of water, and when it becomes fully saturated by rain, sprinklers or pools, you may need to stagger your water usage. Outdoor activities like watering your grass, filling the pool or running the sprinkler require the largest amounts of water so we recommend you space out you space out your activities if possible. When it comes to indoor water usage, laundry and showers are the largest contributors to your septic tank. Try to do a load or two at a time, compared to five loads in one day to avoid overwhelming your septic tank. If your kiddos want to play in the sprinkler, place it somewhere in the yard that’s away from your septic system and drainfield so it doesn’t become soggy. Simply be mindful of your water use, especially when there’s lots of rain in the forecast – your drainfield will thank you! 

3. Avoid Rinsing Chemicals, Paint or Grease Down the Drain