Septic System FAQs

The septic tank and the drain fields (leach fields) must be properly maintained. With conscientious septic maintenance, the system should work correctly for many years. Such maintenance begins with water use and waste disposal habits. Since your family will determine what materials enter the system, you should establish rules for proper use and maintenance.

• Do not put too much water into the septic system; typical water use is about 50 to 70 gallons per day for each person in the family.
• Do not add materials (chemicals, sanitary napkins, applicators, and so on) other than domestic wastewater. 
• Restrict the use of your garbage disposal. 
• Do not pour grease or cooking oils down the sink drain. 
• Make a diagram showing the location of your tank drain field and repair area. 
• Install a watertight concrete riser over the septic tank to simplify access for septic cleaning.
• Periodically have the solids pumped out of the septic tank (septic tank cleaning).
• Maintain adequate vegetative cover over the drain field. 
• Keep surface waters away from the tank and drain field. 
• Keep automobiles and heavy equipment off the system. 
• Do not plan any building additions, pools, driveways, or other construction work near the septic system or the repair area.

After a few years, the solids that accumulate in the septic tank should be pumped out (this what everyone refers to when they are speaking of “septic cleaning”) and disposed of at an approved location. If not removed, these solids will stop the tank from efficiently processing the biological material. This will create an accumulation of sludge material in the drain fields (leach fields) and clog the pores (openings) in the soil.

This blockage severely damages the drain fields. While some clogging of soil pores slowly occurs even in a properly functioning system, excess solids from a poorly maintained tank can completely close all soil pores so that no wastewater can flow into the soil. The sewage effluent will then either back up into the house or flow across the ground surface over the drain field. If this happens, you may need to construct a new drain field on a different part of your lot. Pumping the septic tank after the soil drain field has become completely clogged will not rejuvenate the system. It will provide only a few days reprieve until the tank fills up again.

There may be alternatives to try to cure your drain fields, but they are never a guarantee. If they work, they will save you a ton of money. If the alternative doesn’t work, then the homeowner is in for a costly repair. Septic systems are very efficient and cost-effective for homeowners, but like any system, they need to be maintained. 

It is important to pump-out septic tanks in order for them to function properly. Regular pumps outs help prevent overflowing and remove sludge and scum from clogging the drain field which could cause the system to fail. If you do not perform regular septic tank pump-outs, pollutants could end up in your water.

Pump-outs depend on the size of your septic tank, the number of people living in your home, and the use it gets, as well as the condition of the septic system. Usually, when the bottom of the floating scum layer is within 6 inches of the outlet pipe, it is a good time to get your tank pumped.

No, there are no additives for septic tanks. It must be pumped out.

You can maintain a healthy septic tank by not putting anything in it that will disrupt the natural bacteria. Regular household wastes are fine to pass through, but chemicals could affect your tank. Read the labels to make sure they are septic safe and use at a minimum. 

If your septic tank needs repairs, rely on the team at Sapp Environmental Service. We offer repairs to septic tanks when there are overflows, blockages, and more.