If your home has a septic system, you must understand a bit about how these systems work. Few plumbing problems are quite as dramatic as a problem with your septic system. If you think your septic system may be slowing down, act quickly. Don’t forget to implement a regular maintenance schedule; your septic system isn’t designed to run indefinitely but instead needs to be emptied (via pumping) and maintained by a professional Boca Raton plumber regularly.

Your Septic System

Your household’s wastewater drains into your septic tank – where solids settle and where the liquid floats to the top. Bacteria in your septic tank break the solids down and digest the waste while the excess soaks into an underground drainage area (usually filled with gravel) that’s located somewhere in your yard. This drainage area is called the leach field. With time, the level of solids in your septic system will rise higher and higher. When it reaches a level that’s too high to be maintained, the waste can back up into your household pipes. Again, regularly scheduled maintenance with a Boca Raton plumber is critical.

Signs That Your Septic System is Getting Full

There are certain telltale signs that your septic system is becoming overly full

All – or most – of your drains are running very slowly. If you’re only having trouble with one of your drains, it’s likely a localized blockage.
The septic pipes themselves are leaking (the backed-up waste can create so much pressure that it causes the pipes to leak).
Your yard above the leach field is soggy. The water waste that’s released from the septic tank should evaporate or be absorbed by the ground. If you’ve got wet patches, the water isn’t absorbing properly.
If you can detect the odor of sewage in your yard or your bathrooms, you’ve got a problem.
Finally, if sewer wastes back up into your bathrooms (it can happen in showers, tubs, and toilets), it’s a clear sign that your septic system needs speedy professional service.

Your well-maintained and properly running septic system is elemental to your smoothly running home, so don’t wait until you’re hit with one of these problems before you call in an experienced Boca Raton plumber. You’ll save both time and money – and avoid extreme inconvenience – if you’re proactive when it comes to your home’s septic system.

Protect Your Septic System

Your septic system is like your home’s own sewage treatment plant, and there are a few things you can do to help keep it running smoothly:

We all naturally want to conserve water in whatever ways we can, and this conservation isn’t just good for the environment it’s also good for your septic system. Remember that all the water that runs in your home flows through your septic system, and there is a limit to just how much it can ultimately handle.
While moderate amounts of basic household cleaners are probably fine, you don’t want to bombard your system with large quantities of powerful cleaning chemicals.
Grease, food, and septic tank additives can be disruptive to the bacteria in your tank and lead to clogs. If you use a garbage disposal, you will likely need to clean your system more often.
Only flush what’s meant to be flushed. Using toilet paper that’s designed to break down easily is also a wise choice.

Back to the Basics: Bring in an Experienced Boca Raton Plumber

Your septic system is designed to manage the wastewater that leaves your home, and if yours is in good condition and well maintained, it will continue to handily manage this task far into the future. Maintenance for septic systems isn’t elaborate. All that’s required is that you have your tank pumped out every three to five years. Generally, when the depth of solids becomes about one-third of the depth of the liquid layer in your septic tank, it’s time to have it pumped.

A plumber who’s experienced working with septic systems will devise a cleaning schedule that’s right for your home and family. If you have a large family that’s always on the go, you may need to have your system emptied a bit more often. If you’re empty nesters, on the other hand, your plumber may advise you to wait a bit longer. Finally, scheduling a yearly maintenance check will also help ensure that your system continues to function just as it should.