As a convenience for our customers, click on the icon  to the right to download a  “Septic System Home Owners Guide” published by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Living in a residence with a septic system is totally different than living in a house that is on city sewage. You will have to take precautions and commit to being attentive to the care of your septic system. Different types of septic systems may require different care. It is recommended that you familiarize yourself with the septic system type that you have. Please visit our “Septic Systems” page to learn how a basic septic system works and our “Types Of Systems” page to learn about your particular type of septic system and the recommend maintenance.

Your Septic System requires regular maintenance. If neglected it can lead to failure that can cost several hundred to several thousand dollars to repair. In addition to performing the regular maintenance at the recommended intervals, the following list of Dos & Don’ts are items that you can do on your part to help keep your septic system running effectively and efficiently.

Don’ts

X   Don’t put unnecessary trash in the sink or toilets. Items such as: dental floss, feminine products, plastic, cotton swabs, cigarette butts, coffee grounds, cat litter, towels, latex paint, pesticides or other hazardous chemicals

X  Don’t put grease or oils down the drain

X  Don’t use caustic drain openers for a clogged drain. Instead, use boiling water or drain snake

X Don’t drive or park vehicles on any part of your septic system. Doing so can compact the soil and damage the drain field, break pipes or other components

X  Don’t waste water or allow water leaks to go unrepaired

X Don’t dig around the tank or drain field. Don’t build anything over your drain field and don’t cover the field with concrete or asphalt.

X  Don’t plant trees or shrubs near drain field as roots may clog and damage the drain lines and drain field.

X  Garbage Disposals should not be used. The finely chopped waste clogs filters and passes to the absorption / leach field. *It is not the food that hurts the tank/system, it is the food being so finely chopped and being suspended within the 4 feet of liquid level. The suspended waste passes through the system before being broken down.  We would not put sand in our car’s engine oil just because it has a filter, would we?

X  Don’t allow backwash from water softeners to enter septic system. Check with your local regulatory agency or septic contractor first

X  Don’t allow surface water to drain into the tank area or drain field. Install risers with lids if necessary and create drainage ditches around the drain field to divert the surface water elsewhere

X Don’t ignore warning signs or symptoms. At the first sign of trouble, call your septic contractor. Hopefully it will not be too late.  Some symptoms/signs can indicate serious damage has already occurred.

X DO NOT EVER enter a septic tank. Toxic gases and oxygen deprived atmospheres in the tank can be fatal without any warning signs allowing you enough time to escape

X  Don’t neglect your routine service which includes, inspection, repairs and pumping at the appropriate intervals.  Septic Systems are “Out of Sight” – “Out of Mind” but they are a vital system. If maintained properly they will provide many years of service. If Neglected, they can fail with the repairs being very costly.