How Often Should Your Household Schedule Tank Maintenance in Santa FE?
When your house is not connected to sewers in Santa FE, NM, you must be using a septic system for household wastewater treatment. And this means regularly scheduling septic tank maintenance. For this, you can utilize Septic Service in Santa FE, NM, but let us ask, what is the frequency? Most homeowners are confused about this, and it’s quite understandable considering that the frequency of maintenance can change. Don’t worry! We are here to help you and clear this confusion today.
Learning About Your Septic Tank
A septic tank is an underground chamber that collects household wastewater, treats it, and then sends it to the drain field for final filtration. Modern septic tanks can have 2 chambers to collect waste and offer features like sirens that beep when the tank is full.
What Does Septic Tank Maintenance Include?
Septic tank maintenance refers to keeping the tank functioning through routine inspections and actions as required. Septic maintenance includes the following actions.
Pumping
Septic tank pumping is emptying the tank using equipment such as a vacuum truck, a hose, a water jet, a muck rack, etc. A septic tank should be pumped every 3-5 years, but the frequency can vary.
Water Conservation
Conserving water is another crucial step for septic tank maintenance. You can reduce water usage by distributing water-intensive activities, including laundry.
Monitoring Usage
One should monitor what’s being flushed down the drains and avoid pouring anything except human waste. Other things, even if labeled flushable, should not be poured down the drains as they can clog the tank and cause backups.
Avoiding Harmful Chemicals
You should not pour grease, oil, harsh cleaning products, or chemicals down drains, as they can kill beneficial bacteria responsible for breaking down solids in the tank.
Protecting the Drain Field
To protect the drain field, you can keep trees and shrubs away from the tank, avoid driving or parking over the drain field, and divert downspouts or other standing water away from the drain field.
Why is Septic Tank Maintenance Important?
Even though regular septic tank maintenance is essential, some homeowners ask why. We will answer this in the points given below.
Prevents System Failure
Without maintenance, sludge and scum build up, which can clog the drain field and put a lot of pressure on the septic system, and over time, this can lead to failure.
Extends Lifespan
Routine maintenance helps you identify and address minor issues earlier, potentially extending the lifespan of the septic system.
Saves Money
A malfunctioning septic system can lead to expensive repairs, but regular maintenance is quite affordable, saving you money.
Preserve the Environment
A well-maintained septic system prevents pollutants, chemicals, and pathogens from seeping into the ground and local water sources, like streams and lakes. This protects the local ecosystem, native plants, and fish.
Maintain Property Value
A properly maintained septic system proves responsible property management and potentially boosts its market value.
How to Get Started
Do you want to learn how to start maintaining your septic tank? The following tips can help you.
Record Keeping
Start recording dates when you use septic service in Santa FE, NM. This will help you track the history of your septic system.
Know Your System
Locate your septic tank and drain field, and make a diagram of their location. You should also learn about their components and how they work, to ensure proper functioning.
Seek Professional Help
Lastly, hire a professional septic service provider, like 505 Portable Restrooms, when needed, and service your septic system.
How Often to Schedule Septic Tank Maintenance?
This is the final section and the reason we are writing this blog. Generally, homeowners should schedule septic tank maintenance every 3 to 5 years; however, the frequency can vary depending on some factors. The factors that influence maintenance frequency are as follows:
Household Size
More people mean more wastewater and solids, which require more frequent pumping. If your household consists of 5 or more members, then you should get your septic tank pumped every 1-3 years; otherwise, pumping every 3-5 years will do the job.
Tank Size
The size of a tank significantly affects the frequency of its upkeep; for instance, a larger tank has more space for solids to accumulate, leading to a lower frequency of maintenance.
Water Usage
If a household uses a higher amount of water, more wastewater enters the septic tank, leading to more frequent maintenance.
Waste Habits
Using a garbage disposal and flushing products other than human waste can quickly fill the septic tank, leading to system failure, so it requires more frequent maintenance.
Maintain Your Septic Tank with Our Reliable Services
After reading this blog, you have learned how often to schedule septic tank maintenance. Some things you can do are watch warning signs that indicate a full tank, and keep records of maintenance. Your septic service provider will also help in determining the frequency of maintenance. We are 505 Portable Restrooms, a company offering professional septic service in Santa FE, NM at affordable prices. We treat your septic system as if it were ours and leave it healthy every time you call us for help.