Country living means spacious living and fun, but it also includes a lot of upkeep. How knowledgeable are you about your septic system?



First, it is important to know what kind of system you have. Does your system have sprinklers? If it does, then it is an aerobic system and you'll follow a different set of rules than your neighbor who has a conventional system, because the bacterium breaks down differently. Aerobic systems usually have three compartments: the first collects solids, the second aerates the bacteria for breakdown, and the third adds chlorine then pumps the excess water into lawn sprinklers. In a conventional system, the excess water spills over to field lines where it evaporates over time. People who have conventional systems will want to use a product called RID-X to aid in solids breakdown [get at grocery store next to drain-cleaner products]. Aerobic systems require higher maintenance for optimum performance: you are required by law to have a contract with a licensed maintenance company; and you should expect that maintenance company to service your system every 3-4 months.



No matter what kind of system you have, if you treat it right, it will last longer between cleanings. And yes, all septic systems require occasional cleaning. Some systems last 10 years between cleanings and some only go 3 months, but most usually 2-5 years is the standard. To increase your system's efficiency, do not treat it like a trash can. Feminine hygiene products, special Wipes of any kind, cushy toilet paper, condoms, garbage disposal wastes, cigarettes, and baby diaper products are all culprits in causing high maintenance costs. Feminine applicators are especially hard on expensive aerobic system pumps. It is suggested that all waste from your kitchen be bagged and carried out in your trash or used in composting. Grease from frying is best disposed of in the trash.



Drainage is also an important matter regardless of what kind of system you have. If rainwater stands over a conventional system, water could backup through the septic system and into the house. Water standing over an aerobic system's tanks can cause that system to work harder thus increasing your maintenance costs. And don't even consider running a sump-pump from your septic system to a near-by ditch: the Health Department will fine you for "endangering human health and the environment." Be careful when landscaping on and around your system. You want rainwater to run off. You do not want a lot of shrubbery or cement walkways or even a wood deck to hinder system maintenance. When you plan any construction project [such as swimming pools, lawn-sprinkler systems, etc.], it is recommended that you first call your septic installation company to come out and mark your system's location, most especially the drain field lines or sprinklers. Not only do you not want to do any construction on top of the septic system, you should not allow construction workers to drive over any part of it or the repair costs could be very expensive, especially if permanent damage requires the installation of an entire new septic system. Also, please be aware that you may not be able to move your water well to a new location because there are state regulations on its location in conjunction with your septic system and your neighbors'.


If you have any questions not answered in the above article &/or you need your system cleaned, please call Best Septic Tank Cleaning service at 281-342-9891.

PLEASE NOTE: Before making any changes to your septic system [ex: addition of a pump to a conventional system that did not previously have one] you will need to contact your local health department authority for permission. Environmental laws are changing rapidly and our last information has it that permits are required for just about all changes now. The Fort Bend County Health Department has requested that we notify our customers "to call their local health department with ALL questions."