The average home with two baths and three occupants will produce over 85,000 gallons of wastewater annually. That is 250-300 gallons per day! A septic tank is a living filter which separates scums and solids and pretreats wastewater before it flows out into the drainfield for final purification. It takes 24-48 hours for this process. Even a good system which isn’t cared for may become a neighborhood health hazard and an expensive problem. Failed systems may cause ground and surface water pollution and costly property damage. It is important to maintain your septic system.

If you have a septic tank, be sure to…

  1. Inspect your system once per year
  2. Pump out your septic tank when needed (once every 3-5 years)
  3. Keep accurate records
  4. Practice water conservation
  5. Check with Drain-Pro for help with system problems

Things to avoid:

  1. Keep traffic off of your drainfield
  2. Grass is the best cover for your septic system
  3. Don’t poison your septic tank
  4. Don’t use a garbage disposal
  5. Don’t dispose of water from hot tubs (spas) into the system
  6. Keep all runoff away from your system
  7. Never enter any septic tank
  8. Don’t use septic tank additives

And never put any of the following in your septic tank:

  • Fats or grease
  • Motor oils or fuels
  • Disposable diapers
  • Coffee grounds
  • Egg shells
  • Nut shells
  • Cigarettes
  • Feminine products
  • Condoms
  • Paper towels
  • Rags
  • Paints or chemicals