If your home is on a septic system rather than connected to the municipal sewer system, be sure to have the septic tank inspected and pumped regularly. The vast majority of septic systems do a great job of disposing of household wastewater with very little maintenance, but neglecting to have the septic tank inspected and pumped can cost you a bundle to repair or replace the drain field.
A septic system works by collecting household waste water in the septic tank where it stays long enough for solid material to sink to the bottom and greasy or oily material to float to the top. The accumulated solid material is called the sludge layer and the oily material is the scum layer.
A septic tank is designed to hold the scum layer and sludge layer in the tank and allow the fluid (called the effluent) to flow into the drain field where it percolates into the soil. Naturally occurring enzymes and bacteria in the tank break down the organic solid material, but the inorganic material and some residual organic material remains in the tank.
Over a few years, this material will accumulate in the tank and will need to be removed by having the septic tank pumped by a septic tank pumping service. Without regular septic tank pumping, the tank will become too full and some solid material will flow out into the drain field and clog the leech lines. If this happens, the drain field usually has to be replaced.
Avoid the hassle and expense of a drain field replacement by having your septic tank pumped and inspected regularly.
