Learn about your septic system

Learning about how your septic system functions and how to properly maintain it can help you avoid costly repairs and give you the peace of mind you need if the unexpected happens.

These articles are shared with the permission of the John Todd Company.

How often should I pump my septic tank?

This may seem like a really simple question, so why can’t you ever get a straight answer from septic pumping companies? That’s because it’s surprisingly difficult to explain over the phone!

The simple answer: Every 2-4 years. The more people living in the home, the more frequently your tank should be pumped.

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How does a septic system work?

A septic system is an On-site Wastewater Treatment System (OWTS) that is designed to keep you from having to use a shovel in the back yard!

This means that all drains in your house lead to a small concrete (or plastic) container buried in your yard called a Septic Tank.

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Healthy Habits for Septic Systems

1. Trash it if You Can

The less solids you can put in your septic system the better.

Left over food scraps can take 20 times longer to process inside a septic tank than normal wastewater and solid waste.

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Septic System Back Up or Alarm

What to do if your septic system starts backing up. Follow these steps to make sure you address the problem!

1. Stop Running Water

The first thing to do when your septic system starts backing up is stop running water.

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How does a septic system fail?

Broken or Missing Outlet Tee/Baffle
The outlet tee (or concrete baffle) keeps floating organic matter from going into the Soil Treatment Area (STA or leach field). Even just a few weeks with a broken or missing outlet tee (or corroded baffle) can cause an STA to fail.

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Septic System Installation A-Z

What to expect from design, permitting and installation of a partial or full system.
*First things first, limit your water usage until the problem can be fixed to minimize the risk of septage backing up into your home or surfacing in your yard.

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Use Inspections and Permits

Selling your home? There are some things that you should know!

Since 2011, the county requires that you obtain a Use Permit for any home being sold that has a septic system (even if it is sold “As Is”).

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Routine Maintenance

The type of septic system you have (gravity or pressure dosed) makes a large difference in the amount and frequency requirements of routine maintenance.

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