Valuable tips to ensure the longevity of your system:
· Do familiarize yourself with the location of your
system.
·
Do keep an “as built” system diagram in a safe
place for reference.
·
Do divert surface water away from your leaching
bed.
·
Do pump out your tank on a regular basis (three
to five years).
·
Do repair leaky plumbing fixtures.
·
Do conserve water to reduce the amount of
wastewater that must be treated.
·
Do replace old toilets with low-flush models.
·
Do keep lint out of your septic system by
cleaning the lint filter on your washing machine.
·
Do keep the tank access lid secured to the riser
all the time.
·
Do keep accurate records of septic
system maintenance and service calls.
·
Don’t flush hazardous chemicals, paint,
cigarette butts or sanitary products.
·
Don’t use a garbage disposal or garburator.
·
Don’t plant trees or shrubs too close to the
system or leaching bed.
·
Don’t use special additives that are touted to
enhance the performance of your tank or system.
·
Don’t dig without knowing the location of your
septic tank.
·
Don’t drive over your tank or leaching bed.
·
Don’t enter a tank – gases and lack of oxygen
can be fatal.
·
Don’t connect rain gutters, storm drains or
allow surface water to drain into a sewage system.
·
Don’t leave inferior faucets on the protect
water lines during cold spells – insulate your faucets and plumbing.
·
Don’t connect water softeners to your system.
The salt content can destroy the bacteria required and can overload the system
when backwashing.