An estimated 20% of homes in the US use a septic system to manage their wastewater. Mac Plumbing sheds some light on finding & properly maintaining your home’s septic tank.
What is a septic tank?
A septic tank is a container that is watertight and is usually made concrete, polyethylene, or fiberglass and is buried underground.
The job of a septic tank is to hold onto the wastewater from your home until any solids in the water separate from it. The solids sink to the bottom of the tank while anything that is less dense than water floats to the top. The liquid exits the tank where it drains into a leach field or drain field where the soil filters the water and removes any bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants from it.
Do I have one?
One way to find out is to look at your water bill. If you are using a septic tank, you’ll not see a charge for sewer services from the utility company.
Rural areas are more likely to have a septic system.
Check your property records, building permits, or blueprints for information about the presence or absence of a septic system.
Why do I need to know where my septic system is located?
You’ll need to know the location of your septic tank to make sure you don’t park your car or heavy equipment on top of your septic tank.
Also, if you’re remodeling or landscaping your home, you’ll need to know where NOT to dig.
Where you WILL NOT find your tank:
- Under the driveway or paved surface.
- Up against the house (the tank must be at least five ft. away).
- Near trees or areas of heavy plantings.
- Under a patio, deck, or any structure.
If you do find your septic tank, don’t open it! Leave that to the professionals at Mac Plumbing.
Septic system maintenance is not a do-it-yourself project, it’s something that needs to be taken seriously before the need arises that calls for an emergency call. If you’re just buying your new home or have lived in your home for a few years, you probably need to contact Mac plumbing and get started on a regular maintenance schedule. Be prepared with a plumbing check-up from Mac Plumbing and if you do find yourself with plumbing problems, be sure and Contact Mac Plumbing here or call us at (931) 552-5555.