Spring Cleaning: Septic Maintenance Tips to Know

 

Spring cleaning may be at the forefront of your mind when the weather warms up and the days get longer. It’s a good idea to start planning early for which tasks you want to get done, and one important item to add to the list is your septic maintenance. (Careful not to start this too early, however, as colder weather affects your septic system differently than warmer weather.)

 

So, where to begin? Here’s what you should be doing this spring to keep your septic maintenance up-to-date:

Though you may think that springtime rainfall will clear out your gutters and storm drains for you, it will mostly just clog them up with leaves and debris from these storms. Keeping these clean is a must, so take some time on a sunny weekend to take care of this task. Being proactive on this chore keeps you from having to venture out on a stormy day to take care of the clogging!

Something to keep in mind after clearing out your gutters and storm drains is to remove any debris from your drainfield. This is the last part of your septic system and the area most affected by contaminants and impurities, something that heavy rainfall can bring back into your pipes and drains indoors. Watch for signs of stress in this area, and make sure that your gutters and runoffs aren’t leading more water back into the drainfield.

Though your system typically needs septic tanking pumping every three to five years, it’s a good routine to have a consistent checkup. Be mindful not to overload your septic tank, as this can cause an inability to separate wastewater and solid waste. A spring cleaning checkup helps to determine if your tank needs servicing. Even if it doesn’t require a full pump, changing just the effluent filter now can save you trouble in the long run.

When you’re cleaning around the house, indoors and outdoors, make sure that the products you’re using aren’t harmful to your septic system. Chlorine bleach, for example, is one of those. There are many safe, natural products on the market now that you can use that won’t damage the microscopic, natural bacteria at work in your septic tank. Even trace amounts of the wrong chemicals can be unsafe.

Feeling ready to tackle your home’s spring cleaning now? Be sure to keep this list in mind when you’re planning a weekend (or weekends) for a serious overhaul and some tidying up. You always want to give your septic tank some care before it’s too late!

 

At Honey-Wagon, we deliver expertise and exceptional service to ensure you have a clean and healthy septic system. Our certified septic technicians are available for all your maintenance needs. Ready to schedule your spring appointment? Contact us today or give us a call at 913-681-3563 for our Kansas office or 816-525-5100 for our Missouri office.