pumping septic tanks from the backyard tank in the countryside

Why You Should Maintain Your Septic Tank

A septic tank is a necessity for homes that are not connected to Houston’s municipal sewer system. The tank separates solid from liquid wastes, allows the solids to settle, and sends the liquid into the leach or drain field where it evaporates or is filtered through a gravel bed and allowed to join the groundwater. If your septic tank stops working the way it should, it can result in a biohazard that must be repaired as soon as possible at the cost of what could be tens of thousands of dollars. Fortunately, there are several easy things you can do to make sure that your septic tank does its job of taking sewage out of your home and disposing of it in a way that is safe and environmentally friendly.

How to Take Care of Your Septic Tank

Though most homeowners know that their septic tank needs to be pumped out from time to time, there are a few other tasks you can do to make sure that your septic tank is in good shape throughout the years. Some of these steps should be done annually by our Brown Aerobic professionals. One set of annual tasks involves checking the pressure distribution system as well as the filter system. You might also want a professional to check out the drip irrigation or the aerobic treatment unit once a year. You should make sure that the lid over the septic tank can be easily accessed but is kept closed when your tank is not being serviced. You should also try and keep dirty water from draining into the leach field. Plant grass or other shallow-rooted plants over the septic tank and leach field and make sure that trees with deep roots are planted far away from them.

Things you should not do if you want to keep your septic tank working for its lifetime are:

  • Flushing anything but toilet paper down the toilet
  • Pouring chemicals such as drain cleaners down your drain
  • Driving or parking heavy vehicles over the septic tank or leach field
  • Pouring additives into the septic system

Though it may be tempting, you should also not use a garbage disposal if you have a septic tank.

Call Brown Aerobic for Septic Tank Service

Houston is the most populous city in the state of Texas, with the Johnson Space Center, Museum of Fine Arts, and the Theater District all nearby. A working septic tank is a must if your home does not drain into the city’s sewage system. A broken system not only costs thousands of dollars to repair, but it is a health hazard, too. To make sure that your septic tank and leach field are in good shape and stay that way, do not hesitate to call our professionals at Brown Aerobic Septic Specialists today.