If the house has a septic system, find the exact location of the tank and the leaching area. During the general exterior inspection, walk around the house and look specifically for puddles over the leaching area and septic tank. If the puddles have a film on top and there is a foul odour in the area, there is a septic problem for sure. Even if the puddle is a clear liquid with no odour, there might still be a septic problem. The best way to determine whether the puddle is septic effluent or surface water as a result of rain is to collect a sample and have it analyzed.
Proper maintenance of the septic system is essential for keeping it running smoothly. Septic systems should last for 20-30 years however neglecting regular maintenance can result in early deterioration of the septic and drain-field systems, leading to costly repairs or replacement. Regular maintenance and septic system inspections will detect problems early in their stages and allow you to fix them before they result in system failure.
Important Tips to Keep Septic System Running Smoothly
If not properly maintained, the septic system will deteriorate and eventually fail, resulting in thousands of dollars in replacement costs. To avoid problems costly repairs, follow these simple steps to ensure everything is working smoothly:
Have your septic system pumped regularly
The septic tank should be pumped out every three to five years, otherwise solids could overload it and sludge could leach into the drain-field. To keep the system running cleanly, drain-field effluent should be clear of these solids.
- Divert access runoff away from the septic tank
Direct all gutters and drainpipes away from your septic tank(s) and drain-fields in order to allow the septic to effectively treat the waste and grey-water it was meant to treat. If this runoff enters the system, your septic could become hydronically overloaded, allowing the drain-field to become over-saturated and not operate properly.
- Tightly seal all access lids and ports
More often than not, water can penetrate poorly sealed lids and ports, causing problems in the septic system. When water gets into these cracks and crevices, it can hydronically overload the septic system and cause the drain-field to become over-saturated. This problem frequently occurs with pressure type systems, causing pumps to run constantly, wasting energy and money.
- Schedule routine septic system inspections
The State of Washington requires all homeowners to have their septic system tested every year for all types of systems except for gravity feed ones, which must be inspected every three years. By scheduling a septic system inspection on a regular basis you will be able to diagnose and fix problems before they become major failures.
- Have proper drawings and site maps for your septic system
When you install your septic system, you should have a site map or plot map drawing showing all the components of your septic system. This way, in case of an emergency that needs immediate attention and intervention, you will not have to guess where your septic tanks, pump tanks, transport lines or drain-fields are located. If you do not have a site map and there is none on record with your health department, have a septic designer/architect create one for you.
- Make sure the system is not covered or obstructed in any way
Do not cover or obstruct the components of the septic systems or drain-field with any asphalt, concrete, decks, framing or structures that would not block access to those areas. In addition, always make sure to keep vehicles off your septic system because their pressure can yield damage to the pipes and tank and your system may not drain properly under compacted soil. Should any of these components need replacement in the future, it will be difficult to access them with any items obstructing access.
- Never introduce septic tank additives or rejuvenators in your septic tank
They may claim to break up sludge or unclog drain-fields, or biologically-based septic additives like septic tanks yeast cultures, septic tank bacteria, enzymes or starter bacteria, but such additives can actually damage your system by causing frothing and excessive activity, thus preventing normal settling of solid wastes. If you really want to introduce additives, check with your local health department or authority before you take any actions.
- Do not use your septic system as a trash receptacle
By flushing items other than septage or toilet tissues you may introduce items that will never decompose or will chock inlets/outlets, requiring constant pumping of the septic tank. Moreover, limit the use of toilet bowl and drain cleaners because they are harmful to the necessary bacteria that help the decomposition of solids in the septic tank. In addition, if you are on a septic system, do not use a sink disposal unit because they will often overload the system.
- Do not use heavy oils or cleaners
Do not dump cooking oil, grease or other such oily substances in sinks or toilets because they float on water and pose a threat of clogging the inlet pipes by filling an upper part of the septic tank. The oil can also move into the transport pipes, solidify and cause excessive buildup that can result in a blockage of the drain-field.
- Avoid planting large vegetation over the drain-field
If you plant any trees or large shrubs over the septic area, drainpipes or drain-field/leach fields, their roots will eventually grow into the drain lines and obstruct or damage them. In these areas, limit vegetation to grasses or small plants whose roots are shallow and will not impede or block drain lines.