A properly maintained septic tank can save you from costly repairs, frustrating disruption and also prevent damage to the surrounding environment. At Mantair, our years of experience have shown that most septic tank problems can be avoided with a little regular care and attention.
Here’s a practical guide to the steps you can take to prevent septic tank problems; helping your system to last longer and protecting both your home, land and wallet!
Understand Your System
Before we discuss preventative measures, it’s important to understand the system that you’re working with. A traditional septic tank takes all of the wastewater from a household, including sinks, toilets, dishwashers, washing machines and baths. The tank then divides solids from liquids, with liquids flowing into a soakaway/drainage field; a sub-surface series of structures designed to disperse the partially-treated liquid safely into the surrounding soil. The solids settle and remain on the floor of the tank, where bacterial activity helps them to break them down over time.
Take note of the tank’s installation date, its capacity and whether any upgrades have been done since. Consider whether household usage has changed; for example, more family members or regular guests, additional bathrooms, garden buildings with plumbing or new high-end showers, as these will all increase the strain on your system. Staying aware of the tank’s design parameters means that you’ll spot stress signs earlier rather than later.
As a general guide, a household of up to 4 people should have a minimum operating capacity of 2700 litres; this needs to be increased by 150-180 litres for each additional person.
Keep To A Regular Schedule
One of the biggest mistakes that we see homeowners make is expecting the tank to be something that can be forgotten about for 20+ years. In reality, regular inspections and emptying are one of the most effective prevention strategies.
Even a tank that appears to function well can be carrying a build-up of sludge or scum that eventually passes into the drainage field. When solids reach the soakaway, its performance drops, causing backup risks, flooding or surface escape of effluent.
If you haven’t already, arrange for your tank to be emptied and inspected by a qualified service provider. At Mantair we frequently carry out both routine servicing and full inspections of tanks, dip pipes, baffles and the soakaway system. In line with regulations, we recommend emptying annually; scheduling this at the same time each year means that maintenance becomes part of your household routine rather than a reaction to a problem, which can be costly. Regular maintenance will be beneficial in the future if you decide to sell your property or need to make a system-related insurance claim, as solicitors and loss adjusters often require evidence that the septic tank has been properly maintained.
Use Your Drain Responsibly
Behaviour inside the house affects what your tank has to process. Treating your drains mindfully goes a long way towards preserving tank life and soakaway capacity. If the below recommendations are ignored, then common causes of septic tank failure can emerge: blockages, effluent on the surface, or polluted discharge draining to nearby waterways.
Adhere to the following:
- Only flush what the system can cope with: Items such as wet wipes, nappies, cotton buds and sanitary products should never be put down the toilet. They don’t degrade easily and once inside the tank, they can reduce capacity or block pipes.
- Only drain light liquids: Avoid pouring cooking fats, oils or grease down the sink. When they cool, they congeal; restricting flow and placing more burden onto the system.
- Minimise the use of strong chemicals: Bleach and other substances disturb the bacterial activity inside your tank. The micro-organisms in the tank help to reduce sludge volume, but when they’re damaged, the tank gets less efficient.
- Be conscious of your water usage: If your household has grown, if you’ve added appliances or changed habits (such as additional bedrooms or people), you’re likely putting more demand on the tank and drainage field than the original design accounted for.
Maintain Your Soakaway And Ground Conditions
Even a well-functioning tank is only part of the system. If the soakaway or drainage field fails to accept the treated liquid, nothing else can compensate. Problems often occur because the ground beneath no longer allows dispersion or heavier loads exceed the surrounding land’s capacity.
To look after the soakaway:
- Avoid parking heavy vehicles or placing large loads above it, this can cause compaction and structural damage to the pipework.
- Keep tree roots and large shrubs well away from the drainage field. Roots may infiltrate pipes or drainage systems, reducing performance substantially.
- Make sure that roof and surface water is diverted away from the septic tank and drainage field. Under regulations, roof water and surface water should not mix with the foul drainage system. Depending on the site’s sub strata, separate soakaway pits can be installed to deal with roofwater/surface water. You do not want these soakaway pits in close proximity to the drainage field.
- After heavy rainfall or in winter, inspect the area for signs of saturation, surface water or unusually green patches (which can indicate that effluent is remaining near the surface).
- We have seen cases where customers have held a bonfire on top of their septic tank or drainage field which has led to the tank lids or underground pipes melting.
Monitor For Warning Signs
Prevention also means being alert to how the system is behaving. If you notice anything unusual, take action. At Mantair, we frequently see these symptoms and they are strong indicators that the system is under strain, failing or isn’t compliant with current regulations.
- Foul smells inside the house, above the tank or in the garden near the soakaway/drainage field.
- Standing water, soggy ground or unusually green grass in the area above the soakaway field.
- The tank needing emptying more frequently than usual.
Make Prevention Routine
By making these steps part of your routine, you’re far less likely to face an emergency situation, costly repair or legal issue due to the spread of contaminated water:
- Knowing your system’s age, capacity and current usage.
- Sticking to a regular emptying and inspection schedule.
- Using your drains and tank with care; no nappies, wipes, excessive fats or chemicals.
- Watching out for warning signs of failure and acting quickly.
- Making sure that you remain compliant with updated regulations and seeking professional advice when your system shows signs of strain or when site usage increases.
Contact Mantair Today
Whilst many homeowners are able to manage the above maintenance, a qualified inspector can check tank structure, baffles, inlet and outlet pipes and condition of the soakaway. Using a trusted service provider means that you’re not left guessing when something goes wrong; you know who to call.
At Mantair, our team handles full tank surveys, servicing, repairs and conversions for properties across the UK. If you’re unsure whether your system requires inspection or are worried that it’s at risk of failure, don’t wait. Our team is ready to help with expert advice; call us today on 01255 853890 or email enquiries@mantair.com.