DO
- Do learn the location of your septic tank and drainfield. Keep a sketch of it handy with your maintenance records for service visits.
- Do have your septic system inspected annually.
- Do have your septic tank pumped out regularly by a licensed contractor.
- Do keep your septic tank cover accessible for inspections and pumpings.
- Do install risers to within 6″ of grade.
- Do call a professional whenever you experience a problem with your system or if that are any signs of a system failure.
- Do keep a detailed record of repairs, pumpings, inspections, permits issued and other maintenance activities.
- Do conserve water to avoid overloading the system. Be sure to repair any leaky faucets or toilets.
- Do divert other sources of water, like roof drains, house footing drains and sump pumps away from the septic system.
DON’T
- DO NOT FLUSH cigarette bulls coffee grinds dental floss kitty litter disposable diapers sanitary napkins tampons condoms fat. grease or oil paper towels and hazardous chemicals such as: paints, varnishes, thinners, waste oils, photographic solutions, pesticides.
- Do NOT go down into a septic tank. Toxic gases are produced by the natural treatment processes in septic tanks and can kill in minutes. Extreme care should be taken when inspecting a septic tank, even when just looking inside.
- Do NOT allow anyone to drive or park over any part of the system.
- Do NOT plant anything over or near the drainfield except grass. Roots from nearby trees or shrubs may clog and damage the drain lines, dig in your drainfield or build anything over it and don’t cover the drainfield with a hard surface such as concrete or asphalt. The area over the drainfield should have only a grass cover. The grass will not only prevent erosion but will help remove excess water.
- Do NOT make or allow repairs to your septic system without obtaining the required health department permit. Use professional licensed septic contractors when needed.
- Do NOT use septic tank additives. These products usually do not help and some may even be harmful to your system.
- Do NOT use your toilet as a trash can or poison your septic system and the groundwster by pouring harmful chemicals and cleansers down the drain. Harsh chemicals can kill the beneficial bacteria that treat your wastewater.
- Do NOT use a garbage disposal without checking with your local regulatory agency to make sure that your septic system can accommodate this additional waste.
- Do NOT allow backwash from home water softeners to enter the septic system.
WARNING
Be sure to exercise appropriate caution when inspecting a septic tank. Never allow anyone to inspect a septic tank alone or go down into a septic tank. Toxic gases are produced by the natural treatment processes in septic tanks and can kill in minutes -even just looking in the tank can be dangerous.