Conroe Septic Pumping

How to Care for Your Septic System

Maintaining your Septic system isn’t hard and doesn’t have to cost a bunch of money. There are 4 basic elements to keep your septic system going for years, and years.

Septic System Inspection and Septic Pumping
Use Water Efficiently
Properly Dispose of Waste
Maintain Your Drainfield

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Septic System Inspection and Septic Pumping

Most septic systems need to be inspected at least every three years. They should be inspected by a septic service professional like Conroe Septic Pumping. Average household septic tanks are typically pumped every three to five years. Newer septic systems and alternative systems with electrical float switches, pumps, or mechanical components should be inspected more often. We recommend an annual inspection. Call today and find out how we can help you.

There are four factors that determine how often you need your septic pumped.

When you call Conroe Septic Pumping for an inspection, we will inspect for leaks. We will also examine the scum and sludge layers in your septic tank.

It’s important to keep maintenance records. You should have notes on all work performed on your septic system.

Your septic tank includes a T-shaped outlet which prevents sludge and scum from leaving the tank and traveling to the drain field area. If the bottom of the scum layer is within six inches of the bottom of the outlet, it’s time to get your septic pumped. If the top of the sludge layer is within 12 inches of the outlet, you should get your septic tank pumped.

Use Water Efficiently

An average American home uses 70 gallons per person a day. So a family of 4 sends an average of 280 gallons of water into their septic system per day. What if you have a leaky faucet, shower head, or a toilet that won’t stop running? Any of these very common household issues can produce 200+ gallons of wasted water per day. If your home has a septic system then all the water that you use ends up in the septic. A conservative approach to the amount of water that your family uses will reduce the risk of septic system failure.

Here are a couple ways to reduce daily water consumption…

Replace a toilet a year in your home with a new High-efficiency toilet. Most people don’t realize that their toilet use is actually 30% of their homes daily water consumption. If your home is even a few years old, chances are your toilets have 3.5- to 5-gallon reservoirs. New high-efficiency toilets use 1.6 gallons of water or less per flush. Replacing your toilets with high-efficiency models can really make a difference in the amount of water entering your septic system.

Laundry – be conscience of the size load of laundry and the washing machine settings. Something as simple as selecting the proper load size, and you reduce the amount of water waste. Another way to reduce the water entering your septic is don’t do all your laundry for the week in one day. Do a load every day instead of four loads in one day. Your septic system will have a chance to deal with the water at a much slower rate and prolong it’s lifespan. If you need to buy a new washer, look for the ENERGY STAR label. Energy Star washers use 35 percent less energy and 50 percent less water.

If you notice that water is draining slowly in your sinks or tubs, it’s probably a good time to call Conroe Septic Pumping (936) 209-5078

Properly Dispose of Waste

Everything that you put in your drains ends up in the septic system. It doesn’t matter it you put it in the garbage disposal, flush it down the toilet, or pour it down the sink, shower, or bath. Again… EVERYTHING that goes down your drains ends up in your septic system. Everything that goes down the drain affects how well your septic system works.

Toilets are not trash cans! Neither is your septic system. An easy way to think about what should or should not go into your septic system is DO NOT FLUSH anything besides human waste and toilet paper. NEVER FLUSH:

Think before you pour something down the sink!

You might not know but your septic system is a collection of living organisms that digest and treat household waste. Pouring chemicals or toxins down your drain will kill these organisms. Your septic system depends on them to function properly. Whether you are at the kitchen sink, bathtub, or utility sink:

Do not us harsh chemical drain openers. If your drain is clogged use boiling water or a drain snake.
Never pour cooking oil or grease down the drain. This includes bacon grease.
Never pour paints, solvents, or cleaners down the drain.
Don’t use the garbage disposal. This will greatly reduce the number of fats, grease, and solids that enter your septic tank.

How to maintain your drain field

Your drain field is an important component of your septic system. A drain field removes contaminants from the liquid (or effluent) that comes from your septic tank. Do not park on or drive over your drain field. It can easily cause damage resulting in a failed septic system. Also, you should be careful that any trees planted are done so at a safe distance. You don’t want tree roots growing into any part of your septic system. Lastly, you want to keep any excess water away from your drain field because it can slow down the water treatment process.