How to Maintain A Septic System? The septic system is one of the most important yet overlooked functional elements of a residential property. A septic system has a life expectancy of 25-30 years More critically, most people don’t know the steps that need to be taken to ensure the health and longevity of a commercial septic system. Consequently, most people take septic systems for granted. Many homeowners mistreat the system and fail to manage their water responsibly. Check the records that came with your place to find out where all of the components of your system are located, so you or your visitors don’t inadvertently ruin them. Never drive over the drain field. Besides inspecting a pipe, the weight of a vehicle compacts the soil and makes it less capable to absorb water. To maintain a standard system, hire a pump truck on a regular basis (typically every three to five years). If you’re aware of what goes down your drains, you might be able to go longer between service calls, so take advice from your pumper. If you rely on a maintenance contract (required with some systems), let the technician suggest you when pumping is needed. Too much water from any source is the reason to overload your system. Make sure gutters are diverting roof water away from the drain field. Install water-saving toilets and appliances, or fix any toilet leak and pace out laundry loads. A houseful of guests can also become a pressure on the system, so try to avoid long showers and full-throttle faucet flows to maintain your septic tank properly. Too many solids are also harmful, too; they accumulate like sludge in your septic tank. If there is a garbage disposal, use it only to clean out the fine scraps that collect in a drain strainer. Otherwise, you have to pump the tank every year or two.