Septic systems are an effective waste treatment option for rural homes or any other building that doesn’t have access to a municipal sewer system. While septic systems handle waste quite effectively, they are prone to various issues when not used correctly or not properly maintained. That’s why in this article we’re going to debunk some of the most common septic system myths you may have heard to help ensure your septic system works properly and lasts as long as possible.
Myth #1: You Can Get Away Without Pumping Your Septic Tank
Some people will have you believe that you never need to pump a septic tank as long as the septic system is working properly. The bacteria inside a septic tank break down solid waste and toilet paper fairly quickly. However, the bacteria can never fully break down the waste until nothing is left. Instead, everything just breaks down into a thick sludge that settles at the bottom of the tank. This process is important since the sludge takes up much less space than the solid waste does before it gets broken down. Nonetheless, the sludge layer continually builds up over time and will eventually build up enough that the septic tank can overflow if it isn’t pumped out.
Most septic tanks will need to be pumped every three to five years. However, some will need to be pumped more often and others can potentially go for more than five years before needing to be pumped. It really all comes down to how large the septic tank is and how much regular use the system gets. That’s why you should always have a septic service check your tank yearly so that you don’t risk waiting too long to get it pumped. A septic tank is always full of water, which means that the only way to check if it needs to be pumped is by measuring the sludge layer. Septic pumping is necessary once the sludge layer fills up one-third or more of the tank.
Myth #2: Septic Systems Can Handle Anything You Put in Them
Another thing many people mistakenly believe is that septic systems are much more robust than regular sewer systems and can handle anything that gets put in them. This definitely isn’t the case. Instead, you should always treat a septic system like any other sewer system. That means never flushing anything but urine, feces and toilet paper. Wet wipes, paper towels and tissues, cat litter, feminine hygiene products, cotton pads, condoms and all other solid items should be put in the trash and never flushed down the toilet. That’s because they can easily clog the toilet, the sewer line leading to the septic tank or the inlet pipe that dumps out into the tank. Another issue is that any solid item other than human waste and toilet paper will get broken down far more slowly, and there are some things that the bacteria in the tank won’t ever break down. That means that you’ll usually end up with the tank filling up more quickly and needing to be pumped out more often.
As with a normal sewer system, it’s also important that you’re careful about what goes down your kitchen drains. Fat, oil and grease are the worst things that can go down a drain. This is because they tend to solidify and cling to the inside of pipes, forming a sticky mass that traps food scraps and other solids. That means that the pipe will then end up continually clogging to the point where it becomes completely clogged.
Most experts also say that you should never use a garbage disposal if you have a septic system. Even though the bacteria inside a septic tank will break down most foods, it will still lead to the sludge building up and the tank needing to be pumped sooner.
The other thing you should definitely avoid flushing or pouring down the drain is any type of chemical. This is because bleach and various other chemicals will kill some of the bacteria in the tank. That means the waste won’t get broken down as quickly and the tank will fill up much faster. This is why it’s a good idea to always use natural or septic-safe cleaning products. That way you won’t have to worry about potentially harming the bacteria and negatively impacting your septic system’s performance.
Myth #3: Septic Systems Only Last 20 Years
Many people have also heard that you need to replace your septic tank every 20 years. It is true that some septic systems end up failing after 20 years or even much sooner than that. However, this usually happens because the system wasn’t used correctly, wasn’t properly maintained or wasn’t pumped out often enough. There are plenty of septic systems that still perform well after 30 or even 40 years. That means as long as you follow the advice in this article and make sure to have your septic system maintained and inspected regularly, there’s a good chance it will last longer than 20 years.
Myth #4: It’s No Problem to Build or Drive on the Septic Leach Field
We’ve encountered situations where someone decided to build a deck that spans over their septic tank or leach field or a shed on top of either one. This is definitely a bad idea since it will make the septic tank harder to access or possibly make it so that it can’t be accessed to inspect and pump it. Putting anything on the leach field is also a bad idea since the weight will compress the soil in the field, which can prevent it from working as it should. This is also why you should never drive over the tank or leach field.
It’s also important that you don’t plant any trees, bushes or shrubs near the septic tank or leach field. That’s because you’ll quickly end up with roots growing in the field. This happens because the effluent wastewater that drains into the field nourishes the roots. Having roots growing in the field is a major concern since they will start to clog up the perforations in leach pipes. If these pipes are clogged and can’t drain properly, your septic system will then start backing up. That means you’ll likely start experiencing problems with sewage backing up inside the building.
Myth #5: “Seeding” Helps Improve Septic System Performance
One thing many people have heard is that you can make your septic system work better by “seeding” it. Seeding refers to flushing some type of organic material down the toilet into the septic system that supposedly contains beneficial bacteria or microbes. Some things we’ve heard of people trying include cow manure, yeast and even worms or a dead mouse. The theory behind this is that the microbes in these things will make it so that the solid waste in the septic tank breaks down more quickly and the system performs better.
Flushing any of these things down into your septic tank likely won’t hurt the system, but they also won’t make any difference in how it performs. Human waste is all the bacteria in the tank need to stay healthy and ensure that the septic system functions properly. That means your septic system will almost immediately start working again as it should after you have the tank pumped.
If you need any septic, sewer or plumbing services in Chandler or the Phoenix Metro area, Emergency Air Heating Cooling & Plumbing is ready to help. We offer septic pumping and can also take care of all your plumbing service needs. We’re also the most trusted source in the area for air conditioning and heating. No matter what septic service you need, contact us today and let our expert team get to work.
