Guide
The short list of septic maintenance habits that decide whether a system lasts a decade or three.
| Task | How often |
|---|---|
| Pump the tank | Every 3 – 5 years |
| Inspect sludge and scum depth | Annually, or at half the pump interval |
| Clean the effluent filter, if fitted | Annually |
| Check the distribution box is level | Every few years |
| Service an aerobic unit | Per contract, usually twice a year |
| Walk the field looking for wet spots | Seasonally |
The tank runs on bacteria. Anything that kills them or will not break down is a problem.
Never flush: wipes of any description, including the ones labelled flushable; sanitary products; paper towels; cat litter; grease and cooking oil; paint, solvents and pesticides; unused medication. Go easy on: bleach in quantity, antibacterial cleaners, and back-to-back laundry loads.
Additives sold to "restore" a tank do not remove the sludge that has already accumulated, and some can push solids out toward the field. Pumping is the only thing that empties a tank.
The field is sized for a daily volume. Exceed it consistently and the soil stays saturated, the biological layer suffocates, and the field starts to fail. Spread laundry across the week, fix running toilets immediately, and keep roof runoff and sump discharge away from the field.
No vehicles, no trailers, no sheds, no above-ground pools, no raised beds, no trees within about thirty feet. Compaction and roots are both permanent damage. Grass, and nothing else.
Keep the permit, the as-built drawing showing where everything is buried, and the dates of every pump-out. It is worth real money when you sell, and it saves an hour of probing with a steel rod every time someone needs to find the lids.