Debunking The Biggest Myths About Owning A Septic Tank

If you have always relied on a public sewer system, there is no doubt that you will find the idea of managing your own waste a bit intimidating as a homeowner. However, with a little knowledge and a few pointers, owning a septic tank on your property is really not that big of a deal. Just make sure that you get the biggest myths and misconceptions about septic tank ownership out of the way right off the bat. Here are a few of the biggest myths about septic tank care and maintenance and the real facts you should know.

Misconception: You have to get your septic tank pumped every few months.

Fact: If you had to get a septic tank pumped every few months, there would definitely be something wrong. The duration of time your tank can withstand before being pumped by a professional will rely on three things:

  • The size of your septic tank

  • The size of your family and how many visitors you normally have in the house

  • Whether or not you flush solids, such as toilet paper, on a regular basis

For example, if you have a 750 gallon tank and you have a family of three, you should expect to have to have your septic tank pumped about every 2.6 years. On the other hand, if you have a family of six with the same size tank, it will likely need attention annually.

Misconception: If you have a septic tank, your will always have a foul odor on your property.

Fact: The only reason you would have foul odors because of a septic tank would be if your are actually having problems. You may occasionally catch a whiff of waste during periods of high sage or during the summer months when humidity prevents the released gases from dispersing quickly into the air. Otherwise, you will most likely never know that you have a septic tank on your property if you are going by odors.

Misconception: Septic tanks commonly allow sewage to back up into your house.

Fact: Modern septic tanks are designed to prevent this from occurring at all. In fact, before sewage would back up inside of your house, it would spill out into an overflow area. What can happen if your tank is overfull is water from drainage lines coming from your sinks or shower may revert back up through the drains instead of draining properly. However, this is a rare occurrence and can be avoided by following an adequate pumping schedule.

For more information, contact companies like Southern Sanitary Systems Inc.


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