Monthly Archives: August 2011

How to Prolong the Life of an Aging Septic Tank

An aging septic tank usually has a lifespan of 20 years or more. But its life can be extended depending on how well it is maintained and taken care of. The life of your aging septic tank can be maximized from 30 to 40 years with proper usage. The following tips are listed to help prolong the lifespan of a septic tank.

  • Rainwater must be kept away or diverted from the drainfield. The drainfield is where the treated waste is absorbed. If the drainfield becomes muddy or soggy it would be less absorbent thus will result in failure of the whole septic system in the long run.
  • Keep tress away from the aging septic tank. The growing roots may affect the tank year after year. Trees should be kept away within a proximity of 100 feet. In worst case scenarios, the roots may break the drainpipes and will require that the whole system be replaced or fixed immediately.
  • Do not flush solid objects in the toilet. How many times have we been warned about this? Objects such as tissues, napkins, tampons, diapers and other solid objects may clog the pipes or would easily fill up the aging septic tank. If so, fill the tank with solid rapidly and would need to be pumped out earlier than the usual schedule.
  • Do not pour grease or oil down the sink. These substances may cause damage to the aging septic tank. These oils and grease will eventually solidify causing blockage in the drainage system. If this is done repeatedly in years it would be difficult to clear them out.
  • Maintain a regular cleaning schedule. Any septic tank would need regular pumping and cleaning. Every three or four years it would need to be cleaned to prevent accumulation of clogs and debris that would be more difficult to remove in the following years. Do not wait until the tank is clogged before it is scheduled for pumping and cleaning.

Tips on Septic Tank Cleaning

In some rural areas, septic tanks are used in the absence of large sewage facilities or sewer connections. But part of having a system like this comes also with the responsibility of septic tank cleaning. It would need maintenance in order for it to work properly. Septic cleaning isn’t such a difficult task. For most part it would only require minimal efforts and discipline on the owners side. To give some insights and tips on how to do septic tank leaning, tips are listed below.

  • Avoid making the drainfield soggy by the rainwater. If the drainfield becomes soggy it would be harder to neutralize and absorb liquid waste. Plan how you will divert rainwater from sogging the drainfield.
  • Refrain from disposing items into the toilet. These solid waste materials might be too bulky and clog the pipes in the septic tank. Likewise it would fill up the tank faster than it is capable of.
  • Do not use too much heavy cleaners. These cleaners would kill bacteria in the tank that would prevent wastes to be decomposed.
  • Don’t pour down grease in the drain. Grease that is poured from the drain will clog the drainfield thus making it hard for the soil to absorb waste water. If this problem occurs, a new drainfield might be needed.
  • Hazardous chemicals should be avoided. Paint thinner, gasoline, varnish should be disposed properly because these might contaminate the groundwater and ruin the whole septic system.
  • Regular maintenance should be performed. The solids accumulated in the tank should later on be pumped out. It is advisable for a family of four members who uses a 1,000-gallon tank to have it pumped after three to five years of usage. While it is also warned to never open the tank without the help or without the expertise of a professional. The gases and bacteria from the septic tank are dangerous.