About 25% of residential properties in the U.S. require septic systems to handle their wastewater. For these homes, proper care is essential for avoiding inconvenient problems and repairs that can cost thousands. If you rely on a septic system, then it is critical for you to know why regular maintenance and inspections are important.
Pumps Your Tank as Needed Rather Than on a Set Schedule
All septic systems require pumping, and the average household needs to pump their tanks every three to five years. Nevertheless, scheduling septic pumping on a fixed timeline may not suit your needs. This is because the amount of time it takes your tank to fill can change, especially if your usage changes. Through an inspection, you’ll know the current volume of waste matter that you have and how quickly the tank is filling. If solids take up more than 30% of your tank, it’s time to pump to avoid blockages and other issues.
Avoids Blockages
During an inspection, your plumber can look for signs of wear, such as with pumps, pipes, and inner and outer baffles. If solid accumulation is greater than 50% of the tank volume, your system is more prone to blockages, and these can cause drainage issues in your indoor and outdoor plumbing. Signs of blockages may be evident throughout your home, and these can include slow drainage, bad smells from drains, gurgling toilets, and fluctuating toilet bowl water levels.
Optimizes System Performance
Annual inspections help to maintain optimized system performance. A poorly maintained system can let bacteria into the home, which is a health issue. It can result in needing to clear plumbing clogs, such as in kitchen sinks and shower drains, with professional tools. You may even be more susceptible to cross-contamination through backflow. This is where pressure in the system forces wastewater in the wrong direction. It can then mix with your drinking water and cause serious health risks.
Maintains a Healthy Drainfield and Landscape
Proper maintenance will extend the life of your primary drain field, reducing the need to switch to a secondary one. A plumber can identify drain field problems early and help you make changes that can include discussing materials you shouldn’t flush, such as grease and coffee grinds. It may be necessary to remove heavy root growth. You should also avoid plants and trees with aggressive root systems, such as rhododendrons and maple trees. Heavy root growth interferes with the wastewater filtering through the soil.
Avoids Environmental Hazards
Early inspections reduce the risk of environmental hazards, such as contaminated groundwater. Groundwater contamination can affect drinking water and local ecosystems. Such hazards can impact your family’s health. Another reason is that environmental hazards can be expensive to remediate. This is because if you contaminate your neighbors’ properties, you will be responsible for paying for the cleanup.
Don’t wait until a septic problem catches you by surprise. Schedule a septic system inspection services in Muncie, IN by calling Happy & Clean Septic Rescue today.