The answer to this question depends directly on how the household uses the system. Variables such as how many people reside in the home, garbage disposal use, age of the system, how much entertaining is done, etc. affects the time period in which solid waste accumulates in the septic tank. On the average, the septic tank should be cleaned out every two to three years. The Pumper should be able to give you a recommendation once she/he has cleaned the tank. If you have a garbage disposal the septic tank should be cleaned annually.

The cleaning must be done through the maintenance opening (typically a 28-inch in diameter concrete manhole-type cover). Cleaning through this opening allows the Pumper to move the pumping hose over the entire bottom of the tank, removing all the solid waste accumulation. The Pumper can also inspect the inside of the tank for any cracks or infiltration problems as well as checking to be sure that the baffles are in place.

The location of the maintenance hole cover will vary by tank manufacturer. However, the cover typically will be located either in the center of the tank or there will be a cover at each end of the tank. Your Installer may have a location map or your local unit of government may have a location map, often called an as-built.

As wastewater is discharged from the house, the tank will fill back up in a short period of time and then begin to trickle-flow into the next tank or to the treatment area, depending on what type of system you have. The rate at which the tank fills up of course depends on the gallons per day that are discharged to the tank. When onsite sewage systems are sized, one of the factors that is included in the calculation is projected gallons per day of water used. The standard applied is 150 gallons per day per bedroom, or 75 gallons per day per person. This daily use takes into consideration water use for entertaining, food preparation, personal hygiene, laundry, dishwashing, etc.

The alarm on your lift station is not a signal to have your septic tanks cleaned although many people seem to think this is the purpose of the alarm. The alarm is alerting you that the lift station pump is not pumping effluent up to the treatment area. A float switch that has failed and is not turning the pump on, a pump that has failed, or no electrical power to the lift station may cause this. If your circuit breaker is in the on position and the pump does not work, your Pumper can repair the problem or direct you to another ISTS professional who offers this service. Minimize your water use until the repair can be made.

Usually, a system that is used consistently each day will not freeze unless there is a mechanical problem such as a sagged drain line. The easy solution is consistent use of hot water. Another common problem is leaky water fixtures such as a dripping faucet or a high efficient furnace that drips condensate into the system. This very small volume of water cools and freezes before it reaches the septic tank.

We use a high pressure, hot water sytem called “jetting” to open frozen septic and water lines. Most systems can be opened in 1-2 hours. It is important to have an outside access to the septic lines through a cleanout or septic tank inlet baffle.

If you live here year round, use a good amount of hot water each day. For example: run the dishwasher each night at bedtime, even if it’s not full. If your only here on weekends, make sure your septic system is covered with hay, leaves or a cement blanket. This will insulate your system and keep the frost to a minimum. If you are only here a few weekends in the winter, you could have your tank emptied late in the fall and use your system like a holding tank during the winter. There are now several types of heating systems that can be used in septic systems depending on your needs.

1. Have your tank cleaned and inspected every one to three years.
2. If you can't eat it, it shouldn't go into the septic system.
3. Use water consistently through out the week, spread out laundry, showers etc
4. Keep brush and trees from growing in the drain field area.
5. Have a filter installed in your septic tank.
6. Do not use additives in your septic tank.
7. Keep vehicles and heavy traffic off of the septic system.
8. Check all water appliances, make sure nothing is dripping.
9. Keep manholes above grade to prevent water runoff into the system and allow
access for inspection & maintenance.
10. Rotate and rest gravity trenches & flush out/clean pressure laterals.

The research that I have read shows that the products do not help your system and in many cases actually add mass to your septic tank.

Most toilet paper is ok. However, wet wipes, flush wipes, and paper towels should not be flushed. Antibacterial soaps and cleaners are very popular. However, they diminish or kill the “bugs” in your tank and diminish the biological treatment in the tank. When a septic tanks organic balance is severely upset, waste can be transferred out into the drainfield.

Often times we find people have “hidden” their septic tank and drainfield with trees and deep root shrubs. Trees and plants love water, so they find voids, cracks and leaking joints to access the water. Septic tanks, drainfield laterals, drop boxes and pipes can all become plugged. It is important to cutback brush and trees off of the drainfield and tank area. Sometimes repairs are needed to fix areas of the system that have been damaged by root intrusion.

Garbage disposals are not bad for systems as long as they are accounted for in the design and management of the system. Garbage disposals add organic mass to the tank, so the design process calls for a 50% increase in the volume of tanks plus a filter or divided tank. From a management perspective the filter should be cleaned annually and the tank cleaning will be needed usually twice as often as a system without a disposal.

1. Lack of maintenance. Many people believe that if a septic system isn't backing up,
it must be fine.
2. Over use of water compared to the design capability of the system.
3. Using your septic system as a garbage can. Paint, grease, left over medication, oil
and other nonorganic waste should never end up in a septic system.