Seven Things You Need to Know About Your Septic Systems Home Improvement Plumbing by Karleia Steiner - May 24, 2014May 24, 2014 Maintaining your septic systems When properly designed, constructed and maintained, your septic system will supply an effective treatment of household wastewater for years. However, if the system is not properly maintained, it may need to be replaced at the cost of thousands of dollars. Therefore, there are seven things you need to know about your septic system. Components Each system has four components, which are a pipe from the home, a septic tank, a drainfield and the soil. The wastewater travels from your home via the pipe to the septic tank. It then leaves the septic tank and is released into the drainfield area. Finally, the wastewater filters into the soil which treats the water by eliminating harmful bacteria. Image Credit – northtryon.com Inspection and Pumping of the Tank The septic tank needs to be pumped periodically to prevent and remove the buildup of sludge and floating scum. In addition, a typical septic system should be inspected a minimum of every three years by a professional such as Kamloops Septic Service. Factors Influencing the Frequency of Pumping The four main factors that determine how often pumping should be completed are the number of people in the home, the amount of wastewater that is created, the volume of solids in the wastewater and the septic tank size. Caring for the Drainfield Roof drains, basement sump pump drains and other rainwater systems should be kept away from the drainfield. In addition, you should plant only grass near the drainfield. Efficient Use of Water The efficient use of water can improve the operation of the septic tank and reduce the risk of failure. Septic Systems – Failure symptoms A system failure can be detected when you notice a foul odor or when partially treated wastewater rises to the surface. Also, you may notice that the toilets and sinks are backing up. Benefits to Maintaining the Septic Systems The main benefit of proper maintenance is to ensure that it has a long life to save money in repairs or replacement. In addition, the safe treatment of sewage protects water resources and prevents the spread of disease and infection. A septic system in good working order is highly effective and will save a significant amount of money. The key to these systems is to perform proper maintenance and to keep an eye out for signs of trouble.