If your home is on a septic tank, you should be aware that there are some specific habits that you should avoid in order to keep your septic system functioning optimally for as long as possible.

Of course, the best way to prevent as many septic tank problems as you can is to simply avoid doing anything that can cause damage to your tank. This means that you should follow proper septic tank maintenance guidelines as closely as possible.

Tips On Proper Septic Tank Maintenance

Here are the best tips to follow on how to properly maintain your septic tank in order to avoid as many problems as possible.

  • Sewer lines should be cleaned out every 18 – 22 months for optimal maintenance.
  • In household of 4 or less residents, the septic tank should be inspected every 4 years.
  • In households of 5 or more residents, the septic tank should be inspected every 2 years.
  • Septic tanks should be pumped out every 3 to 5 years depending on the amount of usage. We recommend you speak with a professional plumber.
  • Use cleaning products that are safe for your septic tank such as
    • CLR Calcium, Lime and Rust Remover
    • Seventh Generation Dish Liquid
    • Bissell Advanced Professional Spot and Stain + Oxy
    • Seventh Generation All Purpose Natural Cleaner
    • and many more. Just look for “Septic Safe” on the label
  • Conserve water in your household usage. The less water you use, the less ends up in the septic tank which reduces the risk of problems.
  • Use low phosphorus liquid detergents and use as little as possible. You want to avoid detergents that use surfactants which can be very harsh on septic tanks.
  • Avoid putting items in your sink drains and toilets such as…
    • cooking grease and oil
    • paper towels
    • kitty litter
    • coffee grounds
    • feminine hygiene products
    • condoms
    • wet wipes of any kind
    • dental floss
    • medications
    • cigarette butts
    • diapers
    • household chemical (including paint and paint products)
  • Use septic safe toilet paper
  • Maintain your septic tank drainfield by…
    • avoiding placing heavy items such as concrete blocks, rocks, parked vehicles, etc. on the drainfield area
    • planting trees and bushes as far as possible from the drainfield area.
    • keeping your home’s drainage equipment such as sump pumps, downspouts, etc. from draining onto the drainfield

By following these guidelines above you will be doing all that you can to prevent as many problems as possible in your septic tank system.

How Do I Stop My Septic Tank From Backing Up?

A very familiar problem that we come across with septic tanks are clogs and the backups that occur because of them.

A warning sign of a possible clog is if your drains and toilets are slow to and/or you notice sewage backups in your toilets, showers, bathtubs and/or sinks.

If you have been keeping to a regular schedule then the issue could still be a clog, it would just more than likely be a clog in the pipe between the house and the septic tank.

We recommend that you call in a plumber to inspect the problem. Our Sewer Camera Inspection would be able to identify exactly where the clog(s) are and then we can put together a plan on how to best get that unclogged. In addition, if this is something that has occurred multiple times, we can assess what the problem may be and correct it to stop it from continuing.

If you have any questions about your septic tank, call Atlantis Plumbing today at 770-505-8570. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.