Septic dos and Don'ts

Having your tank pumped is the most critical maintenance you will perform on your system. If your tank is not serviced frequently enough, the scum and sludge waste will build up. This can cause waste to flow out into your disposal fields polluting the soil and groundwater with harmful waste. A septic tank should be pumped about once every 3 to 5 years or when at 25% capacity. How often your septic needs to be serviced depends on the bedrooms and bathrooms, people occupying the residence and if the system is correctly sized.

• Inspect The TANK.

Once the septic is pumped, inspecting the tank itself is very important. If the septic tank is leaking from this sides or bottom, it is NOT considered a “tank” to the state of Arizona and needs to be replaced. Signs of tank issues are Vegetation growing thick and lush around the septic system. You may also notice foul odors coming from the tank, or the soil wet or black from wastewater.

With an Onsite Septic Service Program, we inspect every quarter or year depending on the program. We ensure that your system is being pumped often enough and spot signs of failure before they wreak havoc on your home and property.

• Disposal Field Maintenance

The disposal fields contain a series of lines, chambers or pipes that slowly disperse water evenly into the soil. To avoid problems with these devices, DO NOT park on, drive on, build structures on or around the septic tank or disposal fields. DO NOT plant deep rooted vegetation on or around the septic system, roots are one of the leading causes of unexpected expenses. 

•  Limit water usage

Using too much water in the home can overwhelm a system and cause premature failure. This can happen during family gatherings, holidays or parties, running toilets or utilities left on for extended amounts of time. Planning for large events by servicing your septic is highly recommended.

Direct rainwater runoff away from the Disposal fields

Because your disposal fields are designed to take a daily design flow, Rainwater can saturate the ground above or around your disposal fields causing fresh water to mix with your effluent. In severe situations this can cause your home to back up and even damage to the home by flooding.  Rainwater should be direct away from the disposal fields. 

• Limit chemicals going in drains

Overuse of chemicals can “kill” your septic system. Bleach and ANTI- Bacterial soaps kill, bacteria, which is what the septic systems functions on. Septic tanks NEED bacteria to break down waste inside the septic tank. If these chemicals are overused, waste inside the tank mixes and can lead to the tank malfunctioning. 

• What can go down the drain?

Toilet paper and human waste should be the only thing going down the toilet. Disposable wipes, feminine products, tissues, paper towels, and other items will not break down in a septic tank and increase clogging risk. Some of these items come with a label that says, “septic safe”. However, this is simply NOT true, there is no standard within the EPA, FDA or any other government agency the dictates what is allowed with the septic system. 

Most people are attentive to maintaining their vehicles and having regular oil and filter changes. We also maintain our homes with carpet cleaning, touch-up painting, AC service, roof repairs, etc. Similarly, our Septic system represents a significant part of the home. However, since it is buried underground, the septic system is treated as an "out of sight - out of mind" home component. 

However, little to no care and maintenance of the system can result in problems or premature failure. Septic system repairs are expensive, and replacement or repair costs can range from $3,500 to $35,000 or more. A full system failure or an under designed septic system can negatively affect your home's value and could pose legal liability consequences.

Installing a new conventional septic system can cost from $11,500 to $25,000 +/-. Alternative systems can cost between $25,000 and $50,000 or more. There are several factors that can affect pricing. Things like home size (bedroom and bathroom count), access to property, digging conditions and machinery needed and more. 

It is more cost-effective to maintain and prevent septic problems than it is to completely replace a system.

A properly designed, installed, and maintained onsite system can be expected to provide 20 to 30 years of service, if not more.

An Onsite Septic Service program will save homeowners time and money. We inspect and maintain the system on a monthly or yearly basis, to monitor how the system is functioning. Depending on which program the homeowner selects, every crucial component of the system can be covered. Onsite Septic Service will pump the septic tank every 3 to 5 years (as needed), service the effluent filter, remove grease blockages, make all necessary repairs, service pumps & alarms, snake sewer drains, or replace the entire system. Check our programs section to learn more.