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Septic Tank Cleaning: Everything You Need to Know

Chris Gennone

Published on August 16, 2022

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Septic Tank Cleaning: Everything You Need to Know

If you're wondering whether it's time to clean your septic tank, it likely is. Read on to learn more about how to maintain your septic system.

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If your home isn’t connected to a town or city sewage system, chances are you have a septic tank. These tanks contain all of the solid waste and raw sewage from your home, which occasionally needs to be pumped to avoid overflow.

Let’s take a deeper look at septic tanks, proper ways to maintain them, and common issues to avoid so you don’t have any foul-smelling problems.

About your septic tank

Image source: BDC Magazine

A septic tank is a large underground tank usually made of concrete, fiberglass, or steel located somewhere in your yard away from the house. The common septic tank size for a 1-2 bedroom home is a 750-gallon tank, but larger homes could require 1,000 gallons or more.

Any time that you take a shower, use the washing machine, or flush the toilet, all the used water and waste goes into your septic tank. Water carries through the tank to the drain field/leach field while solid waste stays at the bottom of the tank. The drain field/leach field is an area of your yard away from the house with a series of underground pipes, which discharges wastewater from the septic tank into the soil. The water is filtered through the soil and percolates, naturally removing harmful bacteria. When this waste breaks down, it becomes a sludge that can clog your pipes and cause problems. This is why septic tank maintenance and cleaning are so important to your home. 

When should I clean my septic tank?

To avoid overflowing sewage and liquid waste, you’ll need to occasionally clean out your septic tank. According to the EPA, the average household septic system should be inspected at least every three years by a trusted septic professional. In addition to the septic tank inspection, the EPA recommends that tanks be pumped (cleaned) every three to five years. Other alternative systems should be inspected at least once a year. 

Septic tank warning signs

Image source: Got-a-Go

If you’re unsure when your septic tank needs to be cleaned, there are some common warning signs to keep in mind. 

Odors 

The most obvious sign you need a septic cleaning is noticing any bad odors outside in your yard or inside near any drains if it’s traveled through the pipes. If you begin to notice any odors inside or outside your home, it could be a sign that the septic tank is full or it could indicate that it’s leaking or cracked. 

Standing water 

Noticing any standing water in your yard can be a serious issue and a warning sign that the septic tank is overflowing. If your septic tank system is overflowing, you’ll usually see pooling water in the drain field in your yard. 

Clogs 

If you’re experiencing clogs or wastewater backing up in sinks and toilets, it could be a sign that your tank is full or the outlet baffle and effluent filter are clogged. This could also indicate that the tank is receiving too much water in a short period of time. Sewage backups are not only disgusting, but harmful to the pipes, and expensive if you need to hire a plumber or emergency service. 

Drainage time

Slow drainage in sinks and bathtubs can be totally normal, but it could also indicate that the septic tank is full.

Things to avoid for the health of your septic tank

Image source: Better Homes & Gardens

Using the toilet as a trashcan

Try to avoid flushing anything besides toilet paper and flushable wipes down your toilet. Flushing items like paper towels, cat litter, diapers, oil and grease, and other sanitary products can clog your pipes. Everything that goes down the drain ends up in the septic tank and affects how well the septic system works. 

Garbage disposals 

If you have a septic tank, many people will advise you to avoid using a garbage disposal. However, when used properly, the waste from a garbage disposal won’t harm the septic system. But it can require you have it pumped more frequently. To avoid frequent pumping, consider composting most of your food waste to minimize use of the garbage disposal.

Harsh chemicals 

Using chemicals like Draino and Liquid Plumber can be beneficial for clogs in certain plumbing systems. But if you have a septic tank, some chemicals can poison your tank, killing essential bacteria that break down sewage, and contaminating the groundwater. If you have a clogged drain, look for a drain opener that’s labeled for use with septic systems.

Traffic on the leach field 

You should try to stay away completely from the drain field, also known as the leach field to avoid any pressure or damage to the septic system. Avoid driving or parking your car on a leach field, planting any shrubbery, and placing any other drainage systems away from your septic tank. This wide expanse of lawn is perfect for playing, though.

Maintaining your septic system

Maintaining and cleaning out your septic tank when necessary is critical to the plumbing of your home. Many homeowners schedule regular maintenance with the same company every three to five years.

Septic system maintenance is essential for any homeowner. Issues like wastewater coming up from the pipes and clogs can not only be unappealing but harmful to your sewer line and pipes. It’s important to identify these key warning signs and regularly have your system inspected and hire a septic tank service to occasionally pump out waste when it’s full.

Written by

Chris Gennone Author

Chris Gennone is a content specialist and video producer at Fixr.com. He has 5 years of experience writing and editing for a variety of web and print publications, currently specializing in home improvement projects such as roofing, remodeling, and repairs. When Chris isn’t writing or in front of the camera, he’s either playing with his band or tracking down the best sandwich shops.