A septic system is meant to filter wastewater. 

How does a septic system work? The wastewater from your home—from toilets, sinks, showers, and appliances—exits the house through the pipes into the tank. Once in the tank, the solid matter (also known as “sludge”) settles at the bottom. The buildup over time provides a luxurious home for beneficial anaerobic bacteria, which work to break down the solids and release the grease, oil, and fats (the “scum”). These byproducts rise to the top, where they hang out in the tank, kept separate by a set of baffles. Meanwhile, the remaining wastewater (also called “effluent”) flows through outlet pipes into the disposal bed or drainfield, where it is slowly and safely filtered by the soil.

Maintaining a septic system is not simple. It requires a lot of attention and maintenance to keep running smoothly.

When maintaining a septic system:

*Be careful of what you send through the system that can potentially clog the septic system; these include paint, chemicals, kitty litter, coffee grounds, “disposable” wipes, diapers, and feminine products.

*Avoid using any additives in the system. Though these products are marketed to do everything from accelerate the breakdown of solids to improve the state of the drainfield, they usually wreak havoc on the bacteria that are supposed to keep the system working well.

*Never park or drive over the drainfield, as the weight of the vehicle could damage the pipes.

*Be careful when planting bushes or trees near the drainfield. Some water-loving species, such as weeping willows, can send roots into the drainfield, outlet pipes, or even the septic tank itself. The Virginia Cooperative Extension suggests a good rule of thumb: if a tree will grow to be 25 feet tall, keep it at least 25 feet away from the drainfield.

*Get the tank pumped out every two or three years, on average, by a professional septic service. Typically, the professional will also conduct a visual inspection of the component at the same time.

*At the first sign of potential failure, call in a professional! The sooner you call, the cheaper a fix might be.

There are a lot of septic tank systems, but if you are looking for a septic system that is easy to install and has an increased ease in delivery and construction, then the chamber system septic tank is for you. 

The chamber system is an example of a gravelless system. Gravelless drain fields have been widely used for over 30 years in many states and have become a conventional technology replacing gravel systems. What’s good about the gravelless systems, and the reason why it is easy to install a chamber system septic tank, is it can be manufactured with recycled materials and offers significant savings in carbon footprint.

They are also well suited to areas with high groundwater tables, in an area where gravel is scarce, or in areas where other technologies such as plastic chambers are readily available.

Moreover, the experts at https://septictank.com/, a chamber system septic tank does not use gravel, but it’s set up much the same way as a conventional system. The septic tank price for this system is often much less than a conventional system, since it’s easier to deliver and install. These aren’t plastic septic tanks, but some of the components are made of the material.

Why maintain your septic system?

According to Why Maintain Your Septic System, maintaining your septic system:

*Saves you money

Regular maintenance fees of $250 to $500 every three to five years is a bargain compared to the cost of repairing or replacing a malfunctioning system, which can cost between $3,000 and $7,000 for a conventional system. Alternative systems can cost even more. The frequency of pumping required for each system depends on how many people live in the home and the size of the system.

*Keeps you and your neighbors healthy

Household wastewater contains disease causing bacteria and viruses, and high levels of nitrogen and phosphorus. If a septic system is well-maintained and working properly, it will remove most of these pollutants. Insufficiently treated sewage from septic systems can cause groundwater contamination, which can spread disease in humans and animals. 

Improperly treated sewage poses the risk of contaminating nearby surface waters; threatening swimmers with various infectious diseases, namely eye and ear infections, acute gastrointestinal illness and hepatitis.

*Protects the environment

More than four billion gallons of wastewater are dispersed below the ground’s surface every day. Groundwater that is contaminated by poorly or untreated household wastewater poses dangers to drinking water and to the environment. Malfunctioning septic systems release bacteria, viruses, and chemicals toxic to local waterways. When these pollutants are released into the ground, they eventually enter streams, rivers, and lakes; harming local ecosystems by killing native plants, fish, and shellfish.

Take Care of Your Septic Tank

Here are some ways to do so:

*Inspect and Pump Frequently

The average household septic system should be inspected at least every three years by a septic service professional. Household septic tanks are typically pumped every three to five years. Alternative systems with electrical float switches, pumps, or mechanical components should be inspected more often, generally once a year. A service contract is important since alternative systems have mechanized parts.

*Use Water Safely

The average indoor water use in a typical single-family home is nearly 70 gallons per individual, per day. Just a single leaky or running toilet can waste as much as 200 gallons of water per day.

All of the water a household sends down its pipes winds up in its septic system. The more water a household conserves, the less water enters the septic system. Efficient water use improves the operation of a septic system and reduces the risk of failure.

*Properly Dispose of Waste

Whether you flush it down the toilet, grind it in the garbage disposal, or pour it down the sink, shower, or bath, everything that goes down your drains ends up in your septic system. What goes down the drain affects how well your septic system works. Your septic system is not a trash can. An easy rule of thumb: Do not flush anything besides human waste and toilet paper.

* Maintain your Drainfield

Your drainfield, a component of your septic system that removes contaminants from the liquid that emerges from your septic tank, is an important part of your septic system. Here are a few things you should do to maintain it:

1. Never park or drive on your drainfield.

2. Plant trees the appropriate distance from your drainfield to keep roots from growing into your septic system. A septic service professional can advise you of the proper distance, depending on your septic tank and landscape.

3. Keep roof drains, sump pumps, and other rainwater drainage systems away from your drainfield area. Excess water slows down or stops the wastewater treatment process.