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Summer Maintenance for Your Septic System

Updated: Jul 26, 2020

The sun is shining, the grass is green...well, not too green. We're aiming for neatly-mowed-with-the-occasional-sprinkler-green as opposed to incredibly-lush-because-your-septic-tank-is-overflowing-green.


Every season brings its own set of septic maintenance tasks, and summer is no exception. To keep it simple, we've compiled a list of summer maintenance tips to keep your septic functioning properly.



1. Watch your water


During the summer, your water usage is likely to be higher than the rest of the year. Kids are out of school so they're home all day, family and friends are coming by more often, and there are yards and gardens to water. Plus, everyone tends to get outside more. Which is great. Except that between the hot sun, chlorinated pools, salty oceans, sunscreen and bug spray, you and your family are probably (hopefully?) taking more frequent showers and running the washing machine more too.


Unfortunately, the increased water usage from your family's increased interest in hygiene can lead to an overworked septic system if you’re not careful. We suggest spreading out your water usage as much as possible. Wash one load of laundry a day and try not to do laundry and run the dishwasher at the same time. Also, when your whole family comes piling in from a day in the pool, stagger your showers instead of taking them one after another.


2. Don't plant near your septic system


Let's be real for a minute. Plants have roots. Roots love pipes. And by love, we mean destroy. Please don't plant trees and other plants with deep roots anywhere near your septic system. You should also never, ever, ever plant anything edible near your septic system, because your septic waste can contaminate the plants. As if it's not hard enough to get your family to eat their vegetables.


In general, the only thing you should plant over your septic tank and drain field is grass.


Watch Where You Park


Having a big party with a small driveway? Hey, if you let your guests park their cars and trucks on your neatly-mowed-with-the-occasional-sprinkler-green that's your business. But don't let them park over your septic system. When anything heavy sits on your drain field (even a riding lawn mower), it can compact the soil, which will leave it unable to properly treat wastewater. This can lead to a contaminated groundwater and a failing drain field. We're pretty sure you didn't factor those costs into your party budget.



Install your above ground pool on level ground...away from your septic system


Who doesn't love relaxing by the pool on a hot summer day? We sure do. We're also pretty confident that an in ground pool would not be installed anywhere near your septic system. That new above ground pool, though? That would fall into the category of things-that-are-too-heavy-for-your-drain-field (see tip above). Also, if your pool is placed over your septic system, we wouldn't be able to access the tank for maintenance. Bummer.


Be sure to place your above ground pool far enough away that your septic system is well out of the splash zone. That way, you're not causing any damage from the weight of the pool, and any water spillage from a rowdy game of pool volleyball won't flood your drain field, which could overwork it and lead to permanent damage.


Set house rules for guests


If you have guests over that aren't used to septic systems, they may not know what can and can't be flushed down the toilet. In general, let them know that toilet paper, human waste, and water are really the only things that should go down the drain. For a complete guide of what you can and can’t flush down the toilet, click here. Better to have an awkward conversation than to end up with a damaged a septic tank.


Pump your tank while the weather is warm


Your septic tank needs to be pumped every 3-5 years, depending on your usage and the age of the tank. If this is your year for a pump out, it's significantly easier and less time consuming to pump your septic tank in the warmer months. During the winter, snow covering and the frozen ground makes it difficult for us to reach your septic tank. And if you're thinking it can wait until the fall...remember that we live in New England. This could be the year we have another blizzard in October.



About ADB Septic | CT Septic System Services


A.D.B. Construction & Septic Corp. is a septic services business in Manchester, CT. We proudly serve residential and commercial customers all over Hartford County and beyond with a full slate of services. With over 20 years of experience, we have completed countless projects of all scopes and sizes. Needless to say, there is nothing we can’t do when it comes to septic tanks, sewer systems, drains, and more.


Our business is committed to meeting your needs and completing your job with the utmost professionalism and precision. We put your satisfaction, safety, and comfort at the forefront of our priority list. When you hire us, you can achieve complete peace of mind.

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