A Beginner’s Guide: Getting to Know Your Septic Tank Before Installation [infographic]

While there are many parts of the country that use city sources to take care of their wastewater, there are still many places and people who chose to have a septic system installed as their own private wastewater treatment system. Here at William Dustin Septic, we want to be your guide to owning a septic system. If you are new to septic ownership, here are a few things you will need to know moving forward:

• All systems have some of the same parts. All septic systems have the same basic parts: the piping that leaves the property, the septic tank itself, a distribution box and the drain field. Each component plays an important role in treating your wastewater.

• Small things can affect how effective your system is. Things you might not think twice about now can affect your septic system, such as using bleach to clean your toilet or how often you use your garbage disposal. Being more aware of anything that goes down your drain and how it impacts your system will be important in the future.
• Marking the location of your septic system will be beneficial for you. While it might seem silly, it’s not uncommon for a homeowner to forget or simply not know where their tank is located when it comes time for pumping. A map or marker for the parts of your system will be greatly helpful!
• Maintenance is not an option you can skip. If you do not take care of your septic system, it can backfire on you in costly and messy ways. Maintenance is an essential component of septic ownership and should not be overlooked or skipped.
• You must care for your drain field. Your drain field is important, since it helps filter out the gray water. Take care of it by never driving on your drain field.
• Your landscape might need to be altered. Trees, shrubs and plants can perforate and infiltrate your drain field, so the landscape design might need to be altered surrounding your drain field.
• Watch out for red flags! Be wary of common septic system warnings such as pooling around your septic tank, foul odors emanating from the drains, slow drains, and gurgling sounds that appear to come from the plumbing.
• Pump your tank regularly. Having your septic tank pumped regularly is essential, and that timing can change based on various factors. A septic professional like ours can help with instructing you on how often “regularly” is for your household and tank.

If you have any questions about how to start off with your new septic system, give us a call today here at William Dustin Septic!