How your
Septic Works
The septic has two compartments: one for solids, where the inlet baffle is, and the second for liquids, where the outlet baffle leads to the leaching bed.
The first compartment holds heavy solids, while the second holds finer sediment. The effluent filter in the outlet baffle prevents solids from flowing into the leaching bed. The leaching bed will siphon the liquid before it returns to the soil.
How often should you get a pump?
Have your tank pumped out when necessary; every three to four years is recommended. Conduct routine inspections around your home to ensure your system is trouble-free.
How to tell if your septic is not working properly:
The grass over the system is unusually green or spongy to walk on.
Toilets, showers, and sinks take longer to drain.
You can smell occasional sewage odours after rainfall.
You notice gray or black liquid surfacing in your yard or backing up through fixtures in your home.
How to Keep your Septic Flowing Between Pumps
Keep Out
When it comes to what to keep out of your septic system there is quite a list! Limit the use of drain cleaners and disinfectant and sub out organic household cleaners like baking soda and vinegar when possible.
Don't allow these items into your septic tank: backwash from water softeners, paints, solvents, grease, fats, coffee grounds, bones, cigarette butts, diapers, paper towels, tissues, coloured or heavy ply toilet paper and sanitary napkins.
If it does not break down naturally, do not flush it into your septic tank!
Keep Off
Keep trees, shrubs, vehicles and heavy objects off your tile bed. Direct runoff from roofs, driveways, stormwater and sump pumps away from the tank and tile bed. Eliminate or minimize lawn watering over the tile bed.
Keep Clean
Test to ensure that the alarm on your holding tank is working and will indicate when the tank is almost full. Make sure the tank is accessible in any season for the pumper truck. A well-maintained septic system can operate for decades; an abused or neglected one can fail in a day.