Have you recently bought a home that has a septic system? It is your duty to maintain and repair the septic tank, drain field and other system components. These duties could be overwhelming if you used to rely on a utility company for sewer services. However, managing a septic system doesn't have to be daunting. Here are a few tips to get you started as a first-time septic system owner.

Collect information on the septic system

When buying a home with a septic system, you need to gather crucial information about the system. Find out the location of the septic tank and the drain field, so you can keep an eye out for drain field clogs, septic overflows and sewer odours. Once you locate the system, minimise traffic in and around the area. Heavy vehicular traffic above the drain field can cause soil compaction, poor effluent drainage and sewer leaks.

Find out when the tank was installed and approximate its usable life. If the system is old, monitor it closely for faults and performance issues. Also, find out when it was last serviced or pumped. If it has been a while, schedule a service immediately. During the service, your contractor will inspect the system and provide more information on its condition and performance.

Adopt proper waste management habits

Once you buy a home with a septic system, you must watch what you flush down the toilet and dump into the drains. Non-biodegradable waste and debris can block the sewer pipes and kill useful bacteria inside the tank. Since a septic system relies on aerobic and anaerobic bacteria to break down waste, a low bacteria count will cause the tank to fill up faster and overflow. Therefore, avoid dumping non-biodegradable waste into your drains. Use your garbage disposal to break down food waste into small pieces to prevent pipe blockages. 

Service the septic system regularly

Regular servicing can optimise the performance of your septic system. A typical service should involve the following three tasks:

• Septic tank pumping to get rid of non-biodegradable waste at the bottom of the tank
• Tank cleaning to remove sludge in the tank
• Septic system inspection to detect tank and drain field problems

The frequency of servicing the system depends on the age of the septic tank and your water usage habits. If the tank is old, aim for a service every one or two years. Similarly, if you use a lot of water and have a small septic tank, you should pump it annually. Your contractor can recommend a suitable maintenance schedule after examining your system.

Proper waste management and regular maintenance will keep your septic system healthy and efficient. Contact a septic contractor for septic tank services.