Do you know what you have buried underneath your backyard? Do you even care? Well, you should care because underneath all the grass and shrubbery lay your ever reliable septic system. Always there, always on duty, working morning, noon, and night. Not thought about until there is an issue or an unpleasant septic tank emergency.
Your septic tank requires some regular attention. Proper care and maintenance can help it to last up to 30 years. And, the more you know about your septic system, the better and safer you and your family will be. It can have a significant impact on your quality of life. Homeowners are usually responsible for the maintenance of the septic system.
Proper septic tank installation and maintenance allows the prevention of groundwater pollution and avoids disrupting the septic system and causing contamination, which can lead to unclean and polluted streams, ponds and lakes. Thereby, exposing your family to diseases and other health concerns. Inadequately treated waste coming from the home can result in significant outbreaks of diseases like hepatitis, typhoid fever, dysentery, etc. especially if it ends up getting into your family’s drinking water.
Improperly treated septic system can lead to unpleasant odors and waterlogged and patchy lawn. Sometimes phosphates and Nitrates, which can sometimes be found in domestic wastewater, can cause major algae growth blooms in streams and large bodies of water like lakes and rivers.
There are three main reasons to be diligent about maintaining your septic tank:
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The health of your family, your community, and your environment. With regular and systematic maintenance you will prevent contamination and diseases.
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A septic system that is broken, or not working as it should be can be very costly to replace and or repair, so you will need to have an annual inspection and get the septic system routinely pumped.
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Have a septic system that is out of order can decrease property value and pollute local rivers and lakes and destroy areas in your community where you have recreational activities.
It is highly encouraged that you have a professional do annual inspections of your septic system to ensure proper functioning of all the moving parts. An Inspector will check the entire system which requires him first to locate buried piping using an insulated probe into the soil. Make sure your invisible dog fence is turned on when they do this. We don’t want the dog to get hurt. Then they sketch a map to navigate whenever the have future visits. They may begin digging to uncover the ports and manhole so that they can thoroughly inspect for broken pipes and that all other plumbing connectivity. They will then go inside the home and test the ph of the running water to make sure there aren’t hints of contamination that might have been overlooked. They also begin flushing toilets, running a washing machine cycle, garbage disposal and running water to make sure the plumbing connectivity is fine. They will also measure sludge and the scum layers with their special tools to see if the tank needs to be pumped. Next, the inspector checks the condition of the walls for cracks and any signs weakness.
The septic system is a critical part of your home and your quality of life. It would not be prudent to neglect the proper upkeep and maintenance. It could end up being your one big regret.
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