Tips on How to Care for your Septic System

Do you have a septic system?

If you do, then maintenance is not complicated and does not need to be expensive. 

Maintenance and upkeep comes down to four key tasks. Here are some tips from EPA, United States Environmental Protection Agency:

Properly Dispose of Waste

Do not flush anything besides human waste and toilet paper. Everything that goes down your drains (toilet, shower, bath, kitchen sink, garbage disposal) ends up in your septic system and affects how well your septic system works.

Your septic system contains a collection of living organisms that digest and treat household waste. Pouring toxins down your drain can kill these organisms and harm your septic system. Don't pour cooking oil, grease, oil based paints, solvents or large volumes of toxic cleaners down the drain.

Maintain Your Drainfield

Your drainfield, the component of your septic system that removes contaminants from the liquid that emerges from your septic tank, is an important part of your septic system.

Here are a few things you should do to maintain it:

• Never park or drive on your drainfield.
• Plant trees the appropriate distance from your drainfield to keep roots from growing into your septic system. A septic service professional can advise you of the proper distance, depending on your septic tank and landscape.
• Keep roof drains, sump pumps, and other rainwater drainage systems away from your drainfield area. Excess water slows down or stops the wastewater treatment process.

Use Water Efficiently

The average indoor water use, per individual, is 60-100 gallons per day (Source: Water Footprint Calculator). Just a single leaky or running toilet can waste as much as 200 gallons of water per day.

All of the water a household sends down its pipes winds up in its septic system. The more water a household conserves, the less water enters the septic system. Efficient water use improves the operation of a septic system and reduces the risk of failure.

Some tips to save water and use water more efficiently:

• Install high efficiency toilets
• Use high-efficiency showerheads
• Washing machines
• Don't wash small loads of laundry on full load size
• Try to spread washing machine use throughout the week. Doing all household laundry in one day might seem like a time-saver; but it can harm your septic system, not allow your septic tank enough time to treat waste, and could flood your drainfield.
• If you don't already have one, then consider purchasing a washing machine with an Energy Star label, which uses 35% less energy and 50% less water, saving on energy and water usage.

Inspect and Pump Frequently

The average household septic system should be inspected at least every three years by a septic service professional. Household septic tanks are typically pumped every three to five years. Alternative systems with electrical float switches, pumps, or mechanical components should be inspected more often, generally once a year. A service contract is important since alternative systems have mechanized parts.

Four major factors influence the frequency of septic pumping:

• Household size
• Total wastewater generated
• Volume of solids in wastewater
• Septic tank size

Your septic tank includes a T-shaped outlet which prevents sludge and scum from leaving the tank and traveling to the drainfield area. If the bottom of the scum layer is within six inches of the bottom of the outlet, or if the top of the sludge layer is within 12 inches of the outlet, your tank needs to be pumped.



If you contact a service provider, they will inspect for leaks and examine the scum and sludge layers in your septic tank.

To keep track of when to pump out your tank, write down the sludge and scum levels found by the septic professional.

The service provider should note repairs completed and the tank condition in your system’s service report. If other repairs are recommended, hire a repair person soon.

At Earth Smart Solutions we offer natural products for your septic system which are designed to control odour and stimulate the breakdown of matter to help reduce frequent septic tank pumping, keep your septic system operating at optimum performance and save you money.

Natural Septic Tank Additive (ESTT)

ESTT is formulated to increase microbial populations and accelerate the natural (biological) process within your septic system and drain field. ESTT tank treatment:

• reduces frequent septic tank pumping
• extends drain field life
• improves drain field percolation
• prevents sewer line blockage
• keeps septic systems operating at optimum performance

ESTT will protect your septic system and keep it operating smoothly.

Using ESTT is simple... Just drop a convenient water soluble pouch into your toilet bowl and flush. ESTT is safe to use as directed. It is completely natural, contains no corrosive chemicals and is hazard free. It will not damage metal, ceramic, or the plastic parts of the drainage system.

Holding Tank and Field Conditioner (ESHT)

ESHT tank treatment is a highly concentrated, proprietary blend of essential nutrients, and synergists formulated to eliminate odour and accelerate the natural decomposition of the biodegradable component in organic waste in septic tanks, marine and RV holding tanks, portable toilets, etc. 

ESHT stimulates biomass within the treatment environment and accelerates the natural microbiological process. This process maintains the functionality of well functioning systems and causes marginal systems to become functionally active. As a result, the biodegradable components in the treatment environment are reduced in a fraction of the time that would normally be required. ESHT holding tank treatment will maintain your tank and drain field in good working order and prevent or delay expensive pump outs.

Click here for more information on how to use ESHT, depending on your tank performance.

Please contact us for more information via email at info@earth-smart-solutions.com or call us at 1-866-444-7174.

Source:  EPA, United States Environmental Protection Agency, How to Care for Your Septic System