How to Improve and Maintain Your Household Sewage System

Household Sewage System Maintenance Checklist 

The following household sewage system maintenance tips can help protect your septic tank and drainfield. Schedule regular septic tank pumping services with a qualified septic service provider to help keep your system working properly.

• Learn about your household sewage system. Obtain and keep a sketch of the system with a detailed record of repairs, pumping, inspections, and other maintenance activities. 
• Have your household sewage system inspected and maintained regularly.

Routine Septic Tank Pumping Services and Inspections

• Keep your septic tank cover accessible for inspection and cleaning. Install risers if necessary.
• Call a registered sewage system contractor or your local health department if you experience problems or if there are signs of system failure. 
• Always obtain required permits when making or allowing repairs to your system. 

Protect Your Septic System From Water and Physical Damage

• Divert sources of water, like roof drains, footer drains, and sump pumps away from the system. Excess water saturates the soil leading to a system failure. 
• Do not allow anyone to drive or park anything over any part of the septic system. 
• Never dig or build anything over your system. This includes hard surfaces such as concrete or asphalt. 
• Conserve water to avoid overloading the system. Promptly repair leaky faucets or toilets, and install water-saving devices.

What Not to Put in Your Septic System

• Don’t use septic tank additives. These products usually do not help and can be harmful to the operation of your system. 
• Eliminate or reduce the use of a garbage disposal. The additional waste produced by the garbage disposal will lead to extra maintenance requirements. 
• Don’t use your toilet or disposal as a trash can. Coffee grounds, dental floss, disposable diapers, kitty litter, sanitary napkins, tampons, cigarette butts, condoms, fat, grease, oil, automotive fluids and paper towels should never be disposed of in the system. 
• Never pour chemicals or cleaners such as paints, varnishes, thinners and pesticides down the drain/toilet. Harmful chemicals can kill beneficial bacteria that treat wastewater. 
• Never climb down into a septic tank. The natural treatment process in septic tanks produces toxic gases that can kill. 

When to Call for 24 Hour Septic Service

Got a septic tank emergency? Contact Walt Kucharski Septic Service for 24 hour emergency septic tank services. We're here for you when you need it most.

Find the Original PDF, "Know Your Household Sewage System" here.

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