Septic systems seem to generate a lot of misinformation and myths. It’s easy to understand why this is so. Most of the system is buried out of sight and does its magic without any input from the homeowner. Once we flush the toilet or drained the sink it’s “out of sight and out of mind” until something goes wrong. In addition, most homeowners don’t understand how a septic system works so it’s easy to take any information at face value.
One such myth is that septic systems are maintenance free. Your septic system, like any other mechanical system, needs regular maintenance to stay in top operating condition. Fortunately, a good septic system only needs to be inspected annually or every other year and usually needs to be pumped out every three or four years.
Septic tank pumping is another source of misinformation. Many homeowners mistakenly believe that septic tank pumping is only necessary if the system starts to backup or have other problems. The reality is that you should have your septic tank pumped before a problem occurs, usually every three to four years. Waiting until the system fails will damage the system, leading to expensive repairs and a shorters useful life.
Healthy septic systems also don’t need any additives to work properly. A septic system is designed to use naturally present bacteria in the septic tank and septic field to treat the wastewater. Using additives will harm the helpful natural bacteria and reduce the effectiveness of the septic system.
