Septic System Maintenance
As you do your spring-cleaning consider having your septic tank serviced. These tanks have
finite capacity, and when overfilled with solids will adversely affect the performance of your
drainage field. Sometimes the result is a very-costly replacement of the field, as well as
sewage backups.
Various web sites offer guidance on servicing intervals vs. the size of your tank and number
of occupants in your house. But if you've never had your tank serviced, you are probably
well past due!
You may help reduce the cost of cleaning by locating the tank -- it often has
dead or dying grass over it -- and by removing the dirt over the access cover just beforehand
to reduce the serviceperson's effort. The main access cover is often at the center of the
tank, but don't open it, keep folk away, and recover it with dirt quickly for safety after your tank has been serviced.
