Key takeaways
- Pump the tank every few years, based on size and use.
- Protect the drain field from cars, trees and extra water.
- Keep wipes, grease and chemicals out of the system.
- Spread out water use and fix leaks.
How the system works
Wastewater flows from the house into a buried tank, where solids settle as sludge and grease floats as scum. The liquid in the middle flows out to a drain field of perforated pipes in the soil, where it is filtered. When the tank fills with solids, they escape to the field and clog it.
The tank is the part that needs regular attention, and the drain field is the part that costs the most to replace.
Habits that protect it
Use water evenly through the week, since a big laundry day can flood a tank. Fix dripping faucets and running toilets, which keep the field wet. Avoid flushing wipes, grease, medicines and strong chemicals, and go light on the garbage disposal.
Keep vehicles and heavy loads off the tank and field, and keep trees with aggressive roots away from them. Around Nashville and across rural Middle Tennessee, these habits make the difference between a thirty-year field and a ten-year one.
Pumping and inspection
Many households pump every three to five years, but tank size, household size and use change that. An inspection measures the sludge and scum layers, checks the baffles and shows the condition of the tank.
Keep a record of each service and the location of the tank lids. It helps the next pump-out go quickly and gives future buyers confidence.
Related services
Quick answers
Do septic additives help?
Most experts do not recommend additives, because a healthy tank already has the bacteria it needs and additives do not replace pumping. Ask your septic service before buying one.
What are the signs of a failing drain field?
Soggy ground, bright green grass over the field, sewage smells and slow drains throughout the house are common signs. An inspection can tell whether the cause is the field or something simpler.
Ready to talk it through? Get a free estimate or call 615-209-7643.