A septic system usually has a span of 20 years or so. But this can be drastically extended for up to 30 or even 40 years, depending on how you take care of your aging septic system. Here are some helpful tips to maximize your aging septic systems.
- Make sure rainwater stays out of your drain field. You need to make sure that your drain field is not soaked with rainwater. Otherwise, the capacity of your drain field to react on wastes from your sink will diminish, if not totally fail in the long run.
- Make sure that trees around your house will not hinder your aging septic system. Trees growing around the house may also affect the aging septic system’s performance. The roots may creep around the drain and cause blockage to the flow of liquid wastes. Worse, if left for years, these roots may even break the drainpipes causing more damages, as you would have to replace the entire pipe.
- Do not throw unnecessary materials into the toilet. It has been a misnomer, if not a common practice in most households to just throw anything and everything in the toilet and flush it out. Remember, toilets are not garbage. Throwing garbage in the toilet will only shorten your already aging septic system.
- Avoid pouring oily substances in the sink. Another thing that causes huge damage to the aging septic system are the oily substances poured into it. Accumulated greases solidify and block the drains. When this goes on for years, it would be difficult to clear it with simple snaking.
- Regular cleaning service. Now the most important part in maintaining your aging septic system is its regular clearing and cleaning. Ideally, your septic tanks have to be pumped every three to six years. Doing it regularly will prevent the accumulation of debris and other clogs that become more and more difficult to remove through the years. Never wait for your aging septic system to be clogged before having it pumped and clean.
Aging septic systems’ lifespan may be extended. With the right use of your septic system, you can be spared for another decade from replacing the entire system.
