5 Things to Know So Your Septic System Won't Destroy Your Yard—and Everybody Else's

Just because you have a septic system doesn’t mean you need to be an expert on it. But the real septic experts wish you knew at least a few things. And not just for their sake, but for yours. A little knowledge can go a long way toward preventing massively expensive (and massively gross) issues down the line.

We talked with the pros who service septic systems every day to dig up the most important dirt you need to know.

1. Know how your system works (please)

“What you have in your backyard is your very own water disposal plant,” says Kim Seipp, who owns High Plans Sanitation Service, in Strasburg, CO, with her husband. “When you live in the city, [your waste] goes away and you don’t think about it. It goes to a municipal plant and all kinds of great things happen to it. With a septic system, all that happens in your backyard.”

To give you the basics, everything that goes into your tank naturally separates into three layers.

“Anything heavier than water goes to the bottom, anything lighter goes to the top, and there’s a nice, clear liquid in between,” says Seipp.

Over time, of course, the sludge at the bottom “gets thicker and thicker,” Seipp says.

And that’s why you need a good inspection—and pumping—every now and then.

“It’s like changing the oil in your car. You just have to do it,” Seipp says.

2. You can't put anything you want down your toilet—or garbage disposal

Correction: You can, but it’s not a wise idea.

Everything that goes down your toilets, as well as your shower and sink drains, makes its way into your septic tank. If it can’t physically travel through the pipes, you’ll have a major clog on your hands.

The list of what not to flush encompasses more than you might think. For instance, “you should not flush thick paper down the drain at any time,” warns Jack Pruitt, franchise business consultant and operations specialist for bluefrog Plumbing + Drain. That includes feminine hygiene products and baby wipes. “Doing so can cause costly repairs.”

Heavy use of your kitchen garbage disposal is also a no-no. Food waste, coffee grounds, and greasy or fatty foods will have a tough time breaking down in your septic tank. And the bacteria that grow as a result of these items stewing in your septic tank can prevent your system from working the way it should. (Hint: Toss food waste into a compost pail instead.)

3. Know the location of your septic tank so you don't crush it

“The septic tank and field lines are typically installed in areas near the home, and it’s very important that every homeowner knows where they are,” says Glenn Gallas, vice president of operations of Mr. Rooter Plumbing, a Neighborly Company. “That way, you can prevent driving over it with vehicles or equipment, which can crush them and prevent them from operating properly.”

You’ll also want to avoid planting trees or bushes over or near the area. Effluent—the wastewater that leaves your septic tank to be slowly dispersed underground—contains rich organic matter.

“The roots will seek out those nutrients,” Gallas says. And in doing so, those roots could easily wrap around the pipes of your septic system, setting the stage for disaster.

4. Using less water will help your system work better

Your septic system is responsible for distributing and disposing all of the water that flows through your household. To put that in perspective, Gallas points out, the average person will use up to 70 gallons per day.

If you can reduce that number, you’ll reduce the amount of wastewater your system has to deal with.

To do that, consider replacing your standard-issue toilets with high-efficiency ones. That's because regular toilets use up to 20% to 30% of the water your household consumes. High-efficiency toilets can cut that water usage in half, Gallas says.

You’ll also make a difference by waiting to run your washing machine or dishwasher until they’re full, and switching to low-flow shower heads and faucets.

“Reducing the flow even a little will save you thousands down the road in expensive septic repairs or replacements,” Gallas says.

5. Ignoring your septic system can wreak havoc on the environment

If you neglect to take care of your septic system, it’s not just your pipes (or your family) who’ll suffer. Failing septic systems can pollute nearby bodies of water and contaminate local drinking water. In fact, the second most-cited contamination source of groundwater is septic systems, Gallas says.

To make sure your system isn’t one of them, perform preventive maintenance regularly—and frequently, Gallas says. The average household septic system should be inspected at least every three years and typically needs to be pumped every three to five years.

Contact The McLeod Group Network for all your Real Estate needs! 971.208.5093 or admin@mgnrealtors.com 

By: Realtor.com, Stephanie Booth