…and How to Avoid Them

From failing to get your septic tank pumped regularly to planting trees or shrubs near your septic system, there are many common mistakes homeowners make when it comes to their plumbing. Sometimes you’re not even aware of what you’re doing. But it’s OK. Having someone in your corner you can call for regular septic tank service in Springfield OH is key.

Today we’ll take a look at nine septic system mistakes homeowners make and how you can avoid them.

1. Not Pumping Tank Regularly

This is one of the most common mistakes homeowners can make with their septic systems. It’s generally recommended you get your tank pumped every two to three years, or more often with frequent use and large households.

Septic tanks are only designed to hold a certain amount of solids and sludge. When these two substances start to build up beyond the normal range, they start to seep out into the drain field. How often you pump your tank will depend on:

  • Size of your tank
  • How many people in your household
  • Water usage

2. Using Excessive Water

Using too much water is another mistake, as this can overload your septic system. Essentially, it stirs up sludge that would otherwise settle at the bottom of your tank, allowing it to get out into your leach field. Here’s how to avoid this situation:

  • Listen for running toilet
  • Don’t fill up bathtubs everyday (showers use much less water)
  • Save your laundry for when you have full loads

3. Flushing Synthetic Items

Never flush non-biodegradable objects down your toilet, such as wipes, paper towels, diapers, and feminine hygiene products. These items can clog your septic tank and lead to backups. Instead, properly dispose of these items in the trash. Tell your kids not to flush small objects such as toys down the toilet.

4. Planting Vegetation Near Your Septic System

You may think you’re enhancing your landscaping by planting trees or shrubs near your septic system but it can actually cause some major problems. Tree roots can enter the tank through the lids, outlet line to the drain field, and the inlet pipe from the house. Tree roots can also strangle pipes over time. If you have to plant vegetation, go with shallow-rooted plants such as grass.

5. Building or Paving Over Your Tank

Building a structure or paving over the septic tank can cause major damage. That’s because heavy structures such as decks or sheds result in back pitches in both the inlet pipe and outlet pipe. Also, the tank needs to be pumped out every few years, and can’t be accessed if something is built on it or paved over.

Be aware of the location of your septic system and avoid building or paving over it. If you don’t know where it is located, call for a septic tank inspection in Central Ohio. Remember: septic tanks require easy and safe access.

6. Ignoring Warning Signs

Turning a blind eye toward warning signs of potential issues is yet another mistake many homeowners make. Symptoms that shouldn’t be ignored include:

  • Slow drains
  • Foul odors
  • Gurgling sounds

If you ignore these signs, they will only get worse, resulting in backups, overflows, and expensive repairs. Be on the lookout for the above warning signs and address them immediately.

7. Failing to Get an Inspection When Buying a Home

When buying a new home with a septic system, get a professional inspection. This can uncover any problems present with the system, ultimately helping you avoid costly repairs later on.

8. Neglecting the Leach Field

The leach field, or drain field, is an important component of your septic system, but it’s often overlooked by homeowners. The leach field can become clogged over time with grease and solids, resulting in reduced efficiency and ultimately, failure. Get your leach field inspected regularly to ensure it is in good shape. Also, don’t throw anything down your drains that you shouldn’t, such as grease from cooking.

9. DIY Repairs

Any septic tank repair professional in Miami Valley will tell you that they are often called out to jobs to fix issues the homeowner created by trying to handle something themselves. Septic tanks are complex systems, and as such require specialized tools, skills, and knowledge to properly repair. Homeowners who attempt repairs on their own often create further damage and expensive repairs.

Common mistakes include:

  • Lids: Many DIY’ers use wooden lids, which allow sand to enter the tank, or concrete lids made with no rebar reinforcement. Even rugs have been used to seal holes.
  • Pipe repairs: A big mistake is when homeowners don’t properly seal the inlet and outlet pipes to the tank with cement. This allows sand and roots to enter the tank.
  • Drain field repairs: Some homeowners install inadequately-sized drain fields, or have a drain field without an outlet baffle. This allows sludge to run into the septic tank system.

To avoid all nine mistakes above, always call a professional for septic tank repair in Springfield OH if you have a concern. This will save you headache, hassle, time, and money in the long run.

Book Septic System Inspection or Repair With Miami Valley Septic Service

If you’re guilty of any of the above mistakes, don’t worry. We can fix it. Just request a quote online for septic system repair, inspections, or pumping throughout the Miami Valley.