HOW TO MAINTAIN A SEPTIC SYSTEM

Maintaining your home's septic system may seem like an overwhelming task often associated with unpleasant odors, but it doesn't have to be! With consistent care, you can help keep your system healthy and flowing. Making this part of your monthly routine is key to preventing issues before they start.

How Septic Systems Work:

A typical septic system consists of a septic tank and a drainfield (or soil absorption field). Your septic tank digests organic matter (such as grease and oil) along with solids from the wastewater. It's important to understand that all water runs from your house into a single main drainpipe that leads to your septic system. This means anything you put into your toilet, sink, shower, washing machine, etc. all winds up in your tank!

Once bacteria and other microorganisms eat away at any organic matter, liquid wastewater exits the septic tank into the drain or leach field which consists of a series of perforated pipes. These pipes allow wastewater to either evaporate, or filter through the soil. This process naturally removes harmful coliform bacteria, viruses, and nutrients.

It's important to note that if your drainfield becomes overloaded with too much liquid it can flood, causing sewage to float up into your yard or create foul backups in toilets and sinks. Overflows and backups are costly and unpleasant to fix, which is why maintenance is critical.

Here are some important tips to maintain your septic system:

Avoid the Following:

1. Avoid using the garbage disposal when possible, as food solids and grease that can build up quickly and clog your drainfield.
2. Avoid flushing anything except toilet paper. This means no baby wipes, facial tissue, feminine hygiene products, paper towels, etc.
3. Avoid bleach, harsh household chemicals, and disposing of medication down drains, as they can disrupt the healthy bacteria in the septic tank.
4. Avoid emptying water from your hot tub into your septic system, as this can overflow your drainfield and the chlorine can upset the bacterial balance of your tank.
5. Avoid parking vehicles, installing patios, or planting trees over the drainfield, as the added weight can compress the soil too tightly and damage underground pipes, preventing proper drainage.

Best Practices:

1. Keep septic tank lids closed.
2. Monitor water usage and try to cut back on water use where you can. Using less water can increase the life of your septic system.
3. Redirect any roof and surface runoff away from the drainfield to prevent flooding.
4. Landscape with grass and plant shallow-root plants over the drainfield to ensure that wastewater filters properly through the soil.
5. Regularly inspect your septic system to ensure proper functionality.
6. Use monthly bacteria and enzymatic septic treatment products such as Simple Green Septic Guardian to maintain a healthy bio-balance in the tank.
7. Routinely pump your septic system every 3-5 years (depending on household size and usage) by a professional septic service provider.

Directions for Septic System Maintenance:

1. Add the treatment pod. Place one Simple Green Septic Guardian treatment pod directly into the toilet bowl of any one toilet in your home and flush.
2. Repeat. For best results, use one treatment pod every month to help maintain a healthy bacterial balance in your septic system.
3. Set a reminder. Text SEPTIC to 888-858-0923 to receive a monthly reminder so you don't miss a treatment.
4. Support ongoing system health. Follow all the important tips for septic system maintenance listed above to prevent odors, backups, and system overload.

Tip: Since all toilets in your home connect to the same septic system, only one Simple Green Septic Guardian treatment pod is needed in a single toilet each month to treat the entire system.