If your home or business isn’t attached to the municipal sewer system, a septic tank provides the waste management you need. Although underground septic tanks are designed, built, and installed to be very durable and resilient, every tank has an expiration date. The good news is that you can extend the lifespan of your septic tank to save money on tank repairs and new tank installation in the future. Here are some things you can do to keep your septic tank in tip-top shape for many years to come.
Watch What Goes Down the Drain
The easiest way to extend the lifespan of your septic tank is to be careful about what goes down the drains in your home or business. For example, chemical substances such as paint thinner, bleach, and motor oil can disrupt biological activity in the tank and clog up soil pores in the absorption field. Non-waste items flushed down the toilet can also cause costly tank blockages. Ask your septic tank inspection and cleaning company for a full list of common disposal materials not suitable for septic systems.
Stick to a Regular Pumping Schedule
Your specific pumping schedule will depend on the size of your septic tank and whether it serves a commercial or residential property, but in any case, it’s important that you stick to a regular schedule and have your tank pumped as recommended. This is an easy way to make sure you never forget to have your septic tank pumped. The other benefit of regular tank pumping is that it allows your septic tank company in San Francisco to keep an eye on your septic system and look for damage, defects, or other problems that can shorten your tank’s lifespan.
Look for Signs of Septic Tank Failure
Speaking of tank problems, be on the lookout yourself for signs of septic tank failure that will require the attention of a septic tank repair professional. For example, slowly draining sinks and toilets, gurgling sounds in the plumbing, and constant plumbing backups are a few tell-tale signs of a failing septic system. If you recognize these or other signs, schedule a professional tank inspection with a septic tank service company in San Francisco right away.