Because the average cost of a new septic tank is north of $25,000, we suggest that everyone take precautions and perform preventative maintenance to extend the life of their septic tank.
Below are some important dos and don’ts related to septic maintenance in Prior Lake, MN.
Do: Get your septic tank pumped every three to five years
The average 1,500-gallon tank needs to be pumped every three to five years—unless it is hooked up to the garbage disposal (not really recommended), in which case it needs to be pumped every two years. Your septic tank is designed to naturally separate the solid organic matter from regular old water until all the water is able to leach out into the soil and back into the water table. Over time, though, the solid material that would otherwise be broken down by the bacteria in your septic tank gets mixed with dirt, which makes it more difficult for the bacteria to digest the solid matter. This leads to buildup over time. Regular pumping prevents this from becoming a problem.
Don’t: Use chemical solvents such as Drano
Chemical solvents kill the bacteria that help digest the solid matter in your septic tank. The purpose of your septic tank is to process the waste, purify the water within and help slowly return that water to the water table. You can’t accomplish any of this without the good bacteria in your tank.
Do: Use bacterial additives
The bacteria in your septic tank that help break down the solid matter are crucial to the health of your septic tank. They help the tank separate the solid material in the water, and filter that water before it seeps back into the water table. You still need to regularly pump your septic tank. However, bacterial additives help keep it healthy in the meantime.
Don’t: Drive over or park on your septic tank.
Heavy vehicles can crush the pipes that feed waste into your septic tank. These pipes are often made of PVC. Even if they’re well buried, the pressure of the soil above the pipes condensing under the weight of a heavy vehicle can fracture the pipes.
Do: Get a septic system filter
A septic system filter keeps the solids in your tank, preventing them from leaching out, which can then clog your leach field and prevent water from moving out. Because of that, the vast majority of all the waste that passes through your septic tank is water. Moving that water out is a very important part of keeping your septic tank healthy.
Don’t: Wash all your laundry in one day
If you are in a big family, we suggest that you spread out your laundry duties over multiple days, rather than trying to do all your laundry in one day. To keep your septic tank healthy, it needs to allow the water within to leach out while at the same time keeping the solids inside. A long day of doing laundry puts a lot of water in your septic system, which can take a long time to leach out.
Do: Get a low-flow toilet
We all use a lot of water every day. Any way that you can cut back on water usage will make things easier on your septic system. Low-flow toilets and showerheads can help keep hundreds of gallons of water out of your tank.
If you are in need of septic maintenance in Prior Lake, MN, give us a call here at Mike’s Septic & McKinley Sewer Services, and get your job done the right way today! We are available by phone 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so don’t delay—call now. We’ll help keep your septic tank healthy and save you money.