What You Need To Know About Your Private Septic System About 25% of homes in America use private septic systems to treat their waste. This means that a lot of people have never lived with a private septic tank. If you move to a home with its own septic tank, you may not know how to care for it properly. Here are the basics of what you need to know about your Covington, GA, septic system. How a Septic System Works When you flush a toilet or turn on the sink, the water flows through your pipes into a septic tank. This is a large tank that usually holds about 1,000 gallons and it's buried outside under your lawn. Tanks are usually made out of concrete, but they can also be made out of other materials like steel, plastic, and fiberglass. Inside the septic tank, waste is separated into solid matter that settles to the bottom, a liquid layer of mostly clean water, and a layer of scum on top. The clean water is then released into a drain field, where it is filtered even further and can return to the natural water table. Pumping a Septic System As a homeowner, the most important thing you need to know about a septic tank is that the solid waste has to be pumped out of it regularly: usually every 2-3 years. A septic tank company will come to your house to empty your tank—this is not a job for amateurs! Ask the contractor how often you should have your tank emptied. If you have a large tank, you may not need to empty it as often. However, if you have a large family or use a lot of water, you may need to have your tank emptied every year. What Not to Put into Your System Another way to care for your septic tank is to be careful what you put into it. Try to put as little solid matter into it as possible so you won't have to have it pumped as frequently. Don't put food scraps down your sink and avoid flushing paper towels or diapers down the toilet. It's also important not to flush chemicals down your drains. These chemicals can kill the bacteria that are responsible for breaking down the waste in your tank. When this happens, your tank fills up much faster than usual. Preventing Structural Damage You can also prevent damage to your septic system by protecting the tank and drain field. Don't drive over any part of your septic system or build anything on top of it, since too much weight can cause your tank to crack or your drain field to collapse. Also, avoid planting anything besides grass over your tank or drain field. Not only are larger plants too heavy, their roots can break through your pipes and tank in search of water. Signs of Septic System Trouble Learn to look for signs of septic system trouble so that you can get the problem fixed right away. If you delay, the waste may back up into your home, creating a smelly—and hazardous—mess. Here are the most common signs of septic system failure: • Foul smells coming from your drains • Frequently backed-up toilets or sinks • Toilets or sinks that take a long time to drain • Gurgling noises when you flush the toilet • A soggy drain field • Bad smells around your drain field How Long Does a Septic System Last? As long as you care for your septic system, it should last a long time with relatively little maintenance. Most Covington, GA, septic systems last at least 20 years, while many can last even longer. When your tank starts getting old, contact your septic system company to determine if it's time to have a new tank installed.