Septic System Maintenance Checklist

Taking care of your septic system is easy and affordable.  Effective management entails nurturing the septic ecosystem and making a few minor adjustments in habit for routine maintenance.
 
Neglecting your septic system comes with a hefty price tag!  Digging up and replacing a septic system can cost tens of thousands of dollars.
 
Don’t let this expensive mistake be yours.

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In this 12th and final post of the Regenerative Design series, I offer a simple septic system maintenance checklist to mitigate septic system issues and extend its lifespan.  Attached below is a downloadable pdf with maintenance reminders for your fridge.

Life Expectancy of a Septic System

​A properly cared for septic system can last between 20-40 years.  
 
The drain field is typically the first component to fail.  Drain fields that are used lightly outlive drain fields with heavy use.  
 
A well-built concrete septic tank with regular use can last over 40 years, a high-quality plastic tank can last 30-40 years, whereas steel septic tanks tend to fail between 20-30 years.  
 
Abandonment of a system by leaving a septic tank dormant for many years will starve the bacteria and will lead to die off.  Without the bacteria to break down the effluent, there will be system issues if the transition from dormancy to heavy use happens too quickly.  
 
It’s important to remember that your septic system is an ecosystem and all living organisms required for a working septic system need to be cared for.
 
Learn how important the health of your soil is for your septic system and how both impact your home design: A Homeowner’s Guide to Soil and Septic.

How Often to Inspect & Pump Your Septic Tank

Your septic system DOES require a regular septic tank inspection and pumping schedule.  You should schedule a septic system inspection at least every 3 years by a septic service professional.  
 
Alternative systems that have mechanical components, electrical float switches, or pumps should be inspected once a year.  
 
Work with your septic service professional to determine the best schedule to have your septic tank pumped. Typically, your tank will need to be pumped (solid waste removed) every 3-5 years.  
 
The average cost of pumping a household septic tank is a reasonable $300-$600 depending on the size of the tank. Failure to pump a tank can result in septic system failure and replacement of a tank can cost thousands of dollars. 
 
Factors that influence how often your tank will need to be pumped are:

• Number of household occupants
• Total wastewater generated on average
• Volume of solids in wastewater
• Size of septic tank

Water Conservation is a Must

All the water that goes down your drains passes through your septic system.  Too much water will overload your septic system causing the floating layer of scum at the top to overflow. (Learn more about how a septic system operates HERE). This layer of scum will clog your pipes and can cause both your septic tank and drain field to fail. 
 
Water conserving household devices:

• High efficiency toilets
• Faucet aerators
• High-efficiency shower heads
• Energy Star dish washers
• Energy Star washing machines

Say Goodbye to Laundry Day

​Don’t save all your laundry for “laundry day.”  Even though this may seem like a smart way to save time, it can destroy your septic system. 
 
Washing multiple loads of laundry in a short period of time will stress your system and can lead to overflow.  
 
The organisms in your septic system need time to process and break down the waste.  Flooding your tank with too much water forces untreated wastewater out into your drain field.
 
Instead, wash smaller loads of laundry throughout the week.

Ditch the Fabric Softener

Fabric softeners contain quaternary ammonium compounds (quats), which make your clothes feel soft however, these compounds kill the beneficial bacteria in your septic tank. 
 
Quats also contain nitrogen and adding more nitrogen than your system can breakdown means more nitrogen finds its way into the groundwater. Nitrogen runoff is the leading contributing factors to harmful algae blooms in surrounding bodies of water. Learn more about how runoff from your property could be impacting the ecosystem HERE.
 
Phthalates and other chemicals that kill septic tank bacteria are added to fabric softeners as fragrance (and are not so healthy for you either).
 
Fabric softeners are petroleum-based, aka oil-based, and oils are big no-no’s for septic.  Fats, oils, grease, and fabric softeners add to the layer of scum floating on top of your tanks effluent.  If the scum layer becomes too thick it will flow out of your tank and into your drain field where it can potentially cause significant damage and potential failure.
 
Fabric softeners also contain emulsifiers that prevent the oils and chemicals from separating.  When these emulsifiers mix with the effluent in your tank, solids become suspended and do not settle to the bottom.  This can lead to solid waste flowing out of your tank and into your drain field.  Your drain field is not designed to handle solid waste.

Use Vinegar Instead of Fabric Softener

Hate the idea of crunchy clothes?  Use vinegar instead!
 
White distilled vinegar has a mildly acidic pH which dissolves lingering mineral and detergent residues while removing and preventing mildew odors.  This aids in your clothes coming out soft and fresh.
 
Vinegar is biodegradable and gentler for those with sensitive skin because it doesn’t leave any irritating residue behind.  It’s healthier for YOU and your septic system!
 
Love that “fresh” scent of fabric softener?  Use a few drops of essential oils instead!
 
Add a few drops of your favorite essential oils to ¼ - ½ cup of white distilled vinegar.  Add this vinegar/essential oil blend to the liquid fabric softener dispenser of your washing machine.

​Think at the Sink: What NOT to Put Down the Drain

If you’re accustomed to homes connected to municipal water and sewer it might be difficult to transition to life with septic.  Many things commonly put down a drain connected to municipal sewer without a problem will clog and destroy a septic system.
 
Do NOT put the following down the drain:

• Coffee grounds
• Eggshells
• Pharmaceuticals
• Produce stickers
• Flour
• Oil including cooking oil
• Grease
• Fat
• Paint
• Dairy – milk, cream, butter (dairy has a hard time being broken down in a septic tank because of the lack of oxygen)

Skip the Garbage Disposal

​The ground-up food particles from a garbage disposal adds to the solids that collect as sludge at the bottom of the septic tank.  Too many solids are taxing on the organisms in the tank.  Breakdown can be slow, leading to overflow and the need to pump more often.
 
If you’re designing a new home or kitchen remodel, reduce the temptation to throw everything down the sink and plan for a kitchen sink without a garbage disposal.  Perhaps consider composting instead.
 
If you must have a garbage disposal, you will have to be hypervigilant that the only things that go down it is biodegradable food in small quantities.

Be Careful with Chemicals

Common household cleaners can kill the beneficial bacteria inside a septic tank.  Without the beneficial bacteria, your septic system will fail.  
 
Avoid cleaning your home with:

• Bleach
• Ammonia
• Phosphates
• Petroleum-based chemicals
• Antibacterial soap
• Any harsh chemical cleaning solution
• Drain cleaners

 Drain cleaners for clogged drains contain powerful chemicals that destroy the ecosystem of a septic tank and should never be used. Instead, use boiling water or a drain snake.

How to Choose Cleaning Chemicals

​Instead of standard household chemicals use natural, plant-based, and biodegradable cleaners. 
 
Not sure which natural cleaners are safe and effective?  Or want to see if the product you’re using is non-toxic and septic-safe?  
 
Check out the Environmental Working Group’s Guide to Healthy Cleaning.  You can search by product or cleaning category to learn the most up-to-date top products to use.

The Garage, Workshop, and Mudroom Drains Matter Too

Be aware that if your home uses a septic system, the floor drains in your garage will be pipped to your septic system as well.  
 
Chemicals like gasoline, oil, pesticides, antifreeze, and paint or paint thinners wreak havoc on a septic system.  These liquid household chemicals may be tempting to pour down the drain.  Commit to disposing of these properly at your local municipal waste facility.
 
Dumping these chemicals into a sink in the mudroom or workshop will also find their way to the septic tank.
 
Washing your car with harsh chemicals and pouring too much water down the floor drain of a garage will tax your system and harm the beneficial bacteria in your septic tank.

Toilets aren’t trash cans!

The ONLY thing that should be flushed down the toilet that doesn’t come from your body is septic-system-safe toilet paper.  Nothing else!
 
Most toilet paper is designed to be biodegradable, however some of the higher-grade toilet papers contain lotions and oils to make them softer and extra-ply to make them thicker.  These toilet papers could clog or add chemicals to your septic system. 
 
Tissues also often contain petroleum-based lotions, oils, and chemicals.
 
Do NOT flush:

• Feminine hygiene products
• Tissues
• Hair
• Dental floss
• Cat litter
• Paper towels
• Cigarette butts
• Pharmaceuticals
• Condoms
• Baby wipes or other wet wipes
• Diapers

Do’s & Don’t of the Drain Field

The soil in your drain field must remain healthy to filter wastewater before it hits the ground water.  Compacted soils do not allow for filtration and will result in clogged pipes or standing pools of water waste.  Yuck!
 
DO NOT park or drive on your drain field.
 
Too much clean water even for healthy soil in the drain field will slow down and impede filtration.
 
DO direct gutters, sump pumps, and other rainwater drainage systems away from your drain field. 
 
Tree roots and shrubs are notorious for growing into and damaging septic systems. Tree roots grow a considerable distance underground beyond the diameter of the canopy.
 
DO plant trees and shrubs an appropriate distance away from your drain field.  A septic service professional, arborist, or landscape designer can advise you on the proper distance from your drain field that large plants can be safely grown long term.
 
If your drain field fails, you will have to relocate it to the designated repair area. This is expensive!  Between $5,000-20,000!

How to Tell if Your Drain Field is Failing

​Bad odors: If you notice a sudden persistent and unpleasant sewage smell at your home, it might be that your drain field isn’t draining properly.  Effluent and wastewater may be accumulating on the surface of your soil.
 
Standing water: If you notice unexplained puddles of water in your drain field area, this could be an indication that effluent and wastewater are not filtering properly.
 
Extra green grass:  If you notice the grass in your drain field looks extra green and healthy or weeds are growing out of control, this may mean they are receiving extra fertilizer from excess wastewater.  Contact an inspector immediately if you suspect this part of your lawn is a little too healthy.  If it’s not taken care of quickly, it could result in a much more expensive repair than a routine pumping.
 
Drainage issues: If you’re experiencing reoccurring clogs or backed up drains inside the home, this could mean you have a drainage problem with your drain field.
 
Reverse flow: If wastewater is flowing backwards, from the drain field pipes back towards and into the septic tank, it’s likely that you have a problem with your drain field.  This is typically something only an inspector can identify.  Be sure your routine septic tank inspections includes checking for reverse flow issues.

No Need for Septic Tank Additives

DO NOT use septic tank additives. 
 
The ecosystem of a septic system is robust barring you follow these simple rules.  Septic tank additives are not needed for a properly functioning septic system.
 
Septic tank additives typically contain strong chemicals that can decrease the performance of your drain field, can cause damage to your soil, and can leach into groundwater.
 
Learn more about the important role soil plays in your septic system in our blog A Homeowner’s Guide to Soil and Septic.

You Are Part of the System

​You and your home are integral parts of the ecosystem, and your septic system is an ecosystem within the greater ecosystem.  Being in right relationship with all the living beings on and around your property will help you maximize the lifetime of your septic system and the enjoyment of your yard.

Help all members of your household remember their role in caring for your septic system.  Click below to download our easy-to-follow Septic System Maintenance Checklist for your fridge.

Free Printable Septic System Maintenance Checklist
File Size:	282 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

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I intend your septic system is well cared for so it can function properly for many decades.

Supportive of you and your land,

​Jenny Pippin, CPBD, FAIBD, CGP
Pippin Home Designs

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