Lilly’s Septic Tank Pumping Service
King County Septic System and Drainfield Experts
Keeping Your Septic Tank System Healthy
Guidelines for a Healthy Septic Tank and Drainfield
By following a few simple rules, you won’t have to think about your system on a day-to-day basis.
Indeed, with proper use, conventional onsite Septic Tank systems can operate between Tank Pumping without much management.
Septic System Maintenance begins with sound water use and waste disposal habits. Since your family will determine which materials enter the system, we encourage you to set rules and stick to them, Here is a partial list of the items to keep OUT of your Septic Tank. Do not introduce any of the following:
- Grease or cooking oils
- Disposable diapers
- BABY WIPES
- Feminine hygiene products
- Any latex products
- Paper towels
- Plastics
- Cat litter
- Latex paint, pesticides, or any hazardous chemicals
Many homes have garbage disposals to help manage vegetable and other food waste. Excessive use of your garbage disposal may introduce a high level of unwanted solids into your system. Use disposals moderately and consider composting as an option to handle vegetable waste. If you use a garbage disposal the septic Tank will need to be pumped every 3 years to ensure that solids to not reach the baffle level and potentially damage the drainfield.
Do not put too much water into the septic tank system. Excess water puts too much strain on the decomposition process and can cause problems. Do not do all loads of laundry in one day, try to stager laundry over the week. Maximum water use should be about 50 gallons per day for each person in the family. Estimate by using the following numbers per person so you can keep track:
- Shower: 2.5 gallons per minute - 10 minute shower = 25 gallons
- Toilet: 2 gallons per flush (for toilets bought in the last 20 years)
- Washing machine: 40 gallons per load
- Dishwasher cycle: 10 gallons
With large families, keeping track of water use can be hard. But laying down guidelines can help everyone do their part. Also consider getting energy and water-wise appliances when you need to replace your current models. Visit EnergyStar.gov for suggestions.
Be aware that your system is sized to handle the number of people anticipated to be using it when it is installed. If that number increases, you may need a larger system.
Do not use harsh drain openers for a clogged drain. The best alternative to conventional, caustic drain openers is to use boiling water or a drain snake to clear clogs. Though this approach may be a little messier, the chemicals in drain cleaners can cause havoc with your septic system.
Use mild or natural cleaners for your bathroom and kitchen. They should either be okay ed for use in septic systems or marked biodegradable, Although you cannot trust these detergents that are labeled “Septic Safe”. We find that when some particular brands of Laundry detergent labeled “Septic Safe” are innocently used, the Septic Tank looks like there was paint poured into it as well as a thick layer of gray clay like material build up in the bottom of the Tank. This thick clay like matter is then pushed out to the drainfield clogging up the Drainfield lines!
Be aware that bleaches and antibacterial soaps can inhibit the enzymatic action necessary to help bacteria break down the solids in the tank.
Again, harsh chemicals can cause expensive and unpleasant problems in your system.
If you use or intend to use a water softener in the home, let your installer or maintenance contractor know. Under certain soil conditions, the salt recharge solution must be handled carefully and the size of your absorption field may need to be increased.
Have the solids pumped out of the septic tank on a regular basis. Your Septic Tank Pumping contractor or your local health department can give you guidelines. Lilly’s Septic Tank Service recommends Septic Tank Pumping every 3 to 5 years. If your septic tank is 500 to 900 gallon single compartment, the tank should be pumped every 3 years to protect your drainfield. A 900 to 1500 gallon Septic Tank should be pumped every 3 to 5 years depending on family size and various factors of individual usage of the system. Lilly’s Septic Tank Services Expert Technician can recommend the proper pumping frequency for your system by the amount of material accumulated in the Septic Tank since the last pumping. If you use a garbage disposal seriously consider pumping your Septic Tank every 3 years!
Remember, more sophisticated systems may require additional maintenance. So always ask your installer for details on the recommended Pumping frequency for your Septic System. As Certified Master Installers for all King County Septic Tank Systems Lilly’s MI (Master Installer) can recommend pumping frequency for your specific Septic Tank system.
For additional maintenance information, Visit our main Septic Tank Pumping website or give us a call….. 425-432-3084 253-639-3606 360-825-4809
Serving King & Pierce County including: Maple Valley, Ravensdale, Hobart, Enumclaw, Black Diamond, Covington, Issaquah, Sammamish, Kent, Renton, Auburn, Federal Way, Des Moines, Tukwilla, Seatttle - Greenwater, Buckley, Lake Tapps, Sumner, Puyallup, Tacoma
