If you’ve bought a home with its own septic tank, it’s up to you and your septic tank professional to make sure it continues to work well for the rest of its anticipated lifespan. This could be 50 years or longer, especially if the tank is made of concrete. The good news is that septic tank care is easy for homeowners. It’s the septic tank technicians who do the really hard work such as inspections, pumping, installation and replacement. Here are things you can do to make their job easier.

Be Careful What You Flush Down the Toilet

We can’t stress this enough: Flush only bodily wastes and toilet paper. Toilet paper disintegrates when it enters your septic tank. No other type of paper, including facial tissue, is designed to do this. Even if an item’s label says it’s flushable, don’t believe it. Throw it in the trash.

Have the Tank Inspected

Have a professional inspect your septic tank every one to three years, depending on the size of your household and how much water you use. The septic inspector checks how much solid waste and scum are in the tank. If the gunk is above a certain level, they’ll recommend pumping your septic tank. This will keep those waste products from entering your drainage field and contaminating it. Make sure to note visits by septic system professionals, so you’ll know when it may be time for another one.

Take a Look at the Area Now and Then

It’s also a good idea to take a look around the area of the tank. If the grass is overly lush, or if you see puddles when it hasn’t rained in a while, they might be signs that the tank or the sewage drain is leaking.

Notice Problems Inside the Home

There are signs that let you know there might be a problem with your septic tank. One is that all the drains in your house are slow or clogged. Other signs of trouble are bad smells, an influx of vermin or gurgling drains.

Conserve Water

Adding too much water too quickly to your septic system makes it more likely that it will wash solid waste into the drain field. Because of this, it’s important to find and fix leaks as soon as you can. You should also schedule laundry days prudently and not run water-dependent appliances all at the same time. It’s also smart to stagger showers and bath times.

A well-maintained septic system provides peace of mind while protecting your house and the surrounding environment. When you need septic tank service, call our professionals at Billingsley & Brooks Septic Tank Co of Greensboro, NC.