The average life expectancy of a septic system is anywhere from 20 to 40 years. Following these tips can help keep your system running smoothly for as long as possible:
Get your septic tank pumped every couple of years. If you use a garbage disposal of any kind, get it pumped every year instead. Food particles can build up and make your system run inefficiently. When you get your tank pumped, ask that the pump run through the larger cover on top of your tank as opposed to the smaller inspection pipe that’s exposed on your lawn, so as to keep from risking that the pipe ends up clogged somehow. And remember that there’s no need to put any special additives into your system.
When washing your laundry, try to spread out the amount of loads done over the course of each week. Only wash full loads of laundry, and remember that one load per day is much better than five or six loads on a single day. By the same token, try to install and use fixtures and faucets that use low amounts of water. Showerheads, dishwashers, toilers, washing machines and more – reducing the amount of water you use can make a big difference of the life of your septic system.
Try to cut down on the amount of cleaners that you use, and do everything you can to keep harsh chemicals like bleach from getting into your system. Make sure you never use automatic toilet boil cleaners, because the release of chemicals over time can kill the organisms and other materials that treat your waste water and other materials in your septic tank.
