If you are in the market for a new home, there are certain factors you need to be aware of. If the property has a septic system, you need to be mindful of how this affects your plumbing and the layout of the property itself. If you discover your home has one of these systems, consider the following guide about how to maintain this vital component.

What You Should Know About Homes With Septic Tanks

What happens inside the septic tank?

An inlet pipe delivers the wastewater from your home into the septic tank. When it arrives, the solid matter, or sludge, settles at the base while the floating materials, or scum, settle at the top. The center is filled with the effluent or the treated wastewater that exits the tank via an outlet pipe. It makes its way to the drainfield, where the soil treats it so that it can eventually be returned to the groundwater supply.

How do you maintain the tank?

It’s essential to maintain the septic system overall by monitoring what you rinse and flush inside the home. Avoid sending anything except natural waste and toilet paper down the toilet pipes, and try not to rinse substances such as fats, oils, and greases down the drains. These can cause significant blockages in the tank that may eventually lead to sewage backups in the house or flooding in the drainfield. To prevent clogged tanks, it’s crucial to schedule septic pumping at least once every three years to clear it out.

What are some signs of problems?

Telltale signs of a severe septic system problem include sluggish drains throughout the house, which could indicate a blockage in the tank or the inlet pipe, and harsh odors emanating from the drains, which could signify that there’s sewage backed up in the pipes. If you notice that the drainfield looks especially lush, green, and healthy compared to the rest of the yard, it could also be a sign that the tank is full and that the waste is flooding the soil.

What should you do before buying?

Before you sign on the dotted line, request a copy of the most recent septic maintenance report from the seller or the real estate agent. Take into account its history, including how often it’s been pumped and whether it’s undergone any significant repairs during its lifetime. Finally, consider the position of the well. If there’s a well on-site, make sure the system is situated at a sufficient distance to avoid contamination. Inspect trees on the property, and make sure they aren’t so close that its roots might intrude upon the pipes.
 

Are you seeking a reliable provider for septic system services in Chillicothe, OH? Turn to the professionals at Notestone County Sanitary Service Inc. Serving clients throughout Ross and Vinton counties, the company offers septic pumping, drain cleaning, sewer cleaning, and general maintenance to ensure that your system runs smoothly. Visit them online to find out more, or call them at (740) 772-1189 to schedule an appointment.