According to the Environmental Protection Agency, over one in five U.S. households relies on individual septic systems to manage wastewater.
If you live in Clarksville, TN, keeping your septic system in top condition isn’t an option: it’s a necessity. Routine septic maintenance is key to protecting your home and plumbing system.
Whether you’re new to septic systems or a longtime owner, proper septic tank care in Clarksville, TN, will keep things flowing smoothly. Let’s dive into seven essential septic maintenance tips every Clarksville homeowner should know.
Why Is Septic Maintenance Important?
Septic system maintenance directly impacts the overall health of your home. Proper, routine septic tank care has many benefits, including:
- System lifespan improvement
- Healthier home environment
- Cost-saving
- Maintenance of property value
- Enhanced safety
- Improved system efficiency
- Prevention of wastewater overflows
- Compliance with local regulations
Increased Lifespan
According to UF/IFAS Extension, a septic system can serve you up to 30 years with proper care. Other factors that may affect its lifespan include:
- Type
- Material
- Size
- Soil type
- Usage
- Installation
Routine maintenance helps identify and address leaks, pooling water, and other minor issues before they escalate. It extends the system’s lifespan by preventing blockages.
Protection of Home Environment
Septic system maintenance promotes a healthier home environment by preventing sewage overflows. Backups pose health risks by exposing your family to viruses, harmful bacteria, and parasites.
Wastewater can seep into the underground, contaminating waterways and nearby wells. Poorly maintained septic tanks emit dangerous gases and foul smells.
Maintenance also promotes a healthier environment by:
- Supporting lawn and soil health
- Preventing pest infestation
- Reducing the risk of mold
- Promoting proper wastewater breakdown
Maintenance of Property Value
Maintaining a septic tank protects outdoor features like landscaping. It prevents soil contamination that can lead to dead grass.
Septic maintenance also helps prevent excess moisture buildup, which can damage your property’s basement. It prevents warped flooring and cracks in the foundation.
Cost-Saving
Routine septic system maintenance helps prevent costly repairs later on. You can avoid emergencies, which can cost more to address.
A balanced bacterial environment helps the system run efficiently, minimizing strain on its components. You also save money by preventing sewer clogs and backups and prolonging the system’s lifespan.
Compliance With Local Regulations
Clarksville follows the guidelines set by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) that regulate wastewater management. Regular septic maintenance ensures compliance by preventing untreated sewage from leaking into the environment. It protects groundwater, local waterways, and public health.
Septic maintenance will help you avoid Clarksville’s code violations, which lead to fines and penalties. You’ll have proper documentation to support compliance during property transfers.
Septic System Maintenance Tips
Septic maintenance is a proactive approach that helps you prevent system failure and costly disruptions. Understanding these tips also makes it easier to recognize early warning signs.
1. Maintaining the Drainfield
A drainfield, or leach field, helps filter contaminants from the liquid that flows out of the septic tank. It also ensures that the soil safely absorbs the effluent.
Refrain from parking, driving, or constructing over your septic system’s drainfield. It helps prevent the disruption of the leach field’s air circulation, which is essential for proper functioning.
Don’t plant trees near the drainfield to prevent root infiltration and damage. Consider planting grass instead, as it mitigates soil erosion without causing disruption.
2. Conserving Water
A limited amount of wastewater in a septic tank enhances its efficiency. Excess water can cause the solids not to settle properly, and untreated wastewater may also enter the drainfield.
By using water efficiently, you avoid overloading the system, which can lead to potential failure. Less water in the tank allows the solids to settle and break down quickly, helping reduce the frequency of pumping and the risk of clog accumulation.
3. Inspecting and Pumping Regularly
Regular inspections help assess the condition of a septic system. At Hometown Septic in Clarksville, we can inspect your septic system for:
- Inlet and outlet pipes
- Baffles
- Sludge and scum levels
- Household water usage review
- Leach field functionality
- Leaks and cracks
- Maintenance history and access
Pumping helps get rid of sludge and scum from the septic system. It prevents overflows, clogs, and system failures.
4. Disposing of Wastewater Properly
Disposing of water involves your household water usage and how you direct the runoff outside. It promotes the efficiency of the septic system by preventing overload.
Disposing of water helps prevent oversaturation, which can flood the drainfield. A flooded drainfield causes backups and foul odors due to poor effluent absorption.
5. Hiring a Professional
DIY septic maintenance can pose safety risks and lead to system failure. A professional possesses the expertise required for effective septic tank maintenance and repairs.
At Hometown Septic, we understand the mechanics of septic tank systems, including:
- Tank sizes
- Local septic regulations
- Soil types
Our team can spot and fix any septic issues quickly. We also use advanced tools to inspect, pump, and clean our clients’ septic systems.
6. Using Septic-Safe Products
Using safe products when cleaning a septic tank helps protect natural bacteria. Harsh chemicals kill these bacteria and disrupt wastewater decomposition.
Safe products like biodegradable detergent and non-toxic cleaners don’t clog the drainfield, damage the tank, or corrode the pipes. They also help prevent groundwater contamination.
Avoid using products like:
- High-phosphate detergents
- Harsh chemical cleaners like ammonia
- Non-biodegradable items like baby wipes
- Antibacterial soaps
7. Watching What You Flush
Flushing the wrong, solid items can block your septic system’s drain line. It can also disrupt the normal balance of natural bacteria in the tank and increase the risk of system failure. Avoid flushing items like grease, wipes, and feminine hygiene products.
Septic Maintenance Secrets: What Every Clarksville Homeowner Should Know
Septic maintenance might not be exciting, but in Clarksville, TN, it’s necessary to protect your home, save money, and avoid stress. Follow these key septic tips, and you’ll stay ahead. Your system will run smoothly for years to come.
However, you need a trustworthy septic expert you can count on. Hometown Septic has over 30 years of experience serving Clarksville homeowners and businesses. Our skilled team uses the right tools and knows how to get the job done right and quickly.
Reach out today to schedule your septic tank inspection or repair.