(360) 736-2167

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7 Septic Maintenance Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Septic care is an industry that has a value of $3.6 billion and is experiencing growth upward of close to 2%. Dealing with septic system issues can create serious problems that you’ll have to contend with.


If you own a septic system in your household, it requires plenty of TLC, and you’ll also have to avoid some mistakes. By learning more about regular septic maintenance and how to handle it, you’ll do what’s best for your home plumbing.


Here are some septic maintenance mistakes that you should be aware of and avoid at all costs.

1. Failing to Get the System Pumped and Inspected


Be sure that you look into septic system inspection so that you can take the best care of your equipment.


The best thing you can do is get your system checked out annually so that you know what needs to be fixed. A septic inspection is inexpensive and will point you toward the most important repairs that should be handled.


During the inspection call, the septic contractor will also pump your system to fix clogs and other setbacks. Caring for your septic system in this way will keep your family’s health at its best and will prevent problems.

2. Flushing Animal Fats and Cooking Oil Into Your Septic System


Be sure that you also refrain from dumping animal fats into your septic system. Putting cooking oil or animal fat down your system can create significant issues that will compromise your system and back it up.


Not only will this grease clog your plumbing pipes, but it will also damage your drain field. Look into the best ways to dispose of your oils so that they don’t damage your septic system for the long term.

3. Using Chemicals in the Septic Equipment

Another issue that homeowners deal with is using harsh chemicals in their septic system. If you have a clog, your immediate response should be to call up a professional.


By trying to handle your clog on your own with chemicals, you are going to eventually do more damage to your system than it’s worth. Not only will these drain cleaning products potentially damage your system, but it also upsets the balance to the natural ecosystem.


Septic systems rely on certain types of bacteria to thrive. By using cleaning chemicals, you wipe out this natural bacteria and sanitize the system to the point that it can’t operate.

4. Flushing Feminine Products and Baby Wipes

Keep in mind that nothing but toilet tissue should be going into your septic system. Many homeowners make the mistake of flushing things like feminine products and baby wipes down the drain, and your septic system isn’t set up to handle that.

You may get away with it when you have an interconnected municipal plumbing system, but you shouldn’t test your personal septic system in this way.

5. Damaging the Drain Field

Make sure that you understand exactly where your septic system is installed and avoid doing anything to damage it. For instance, driving a car or agricultural equipment over the land where the system is installed can be damaging.


It can cause your system to break open, and you might even spread wastewater throughout the rest of your lawn, which will create potential health issues.

6. Growing Plants on Top of Your Septic System

Be mindful of the way that you take care of your lawn as well. If you have a green thumb, exercise this talent elsewhere in your yard, rather than on top of your drain field.


Many people make the mistake of planting their garden or trees over the top of the drain field. This will cause your plants to embed roots deep into the system, which can cause significant damage.


These roots are difficult to unravel and separate, and they will create expensive problems that will compromise your septic system.

7. Trying to DIY Your Maintenance and Repair Service

Finally, many people make the huge mistake of trying to do their own septic system work. While learning to do your own handy work elsewhere can be helpful, you shouldn’t try to address your own septic system service.


This system is a sprawling ecosystem that requires a lot of factors for it to work properly. The last thing you would want is to make mistakes with your septic system because you will have to spend even more money to get a professional to fix it.


Don’t wait too long to handle whatever work needs to be done, and get on the phone with a professional immediately if you have an emergency on your hand. Vet the help of a professional that can do whatever kind of septic system you need and always set aside enough money to make it happen.

Avoid These Septic Maintenance Mistakes at All Costs


The septic maintenance mistakes above are some of the most common that people make. Do everything that you can to steer clear of these mistakes so that you can do what’s best for your septic system.


The more you invest in the care of your septic system, the easier it will be for you to handle every detail that comes with the territory.


Let Goebel Septic Tank Services help you when you need to address your septic system issues.


We pride ourselves on being the best septic professionals in Cowlitz County and the local and surrounding area. Take the time to contact us via the web, or call us up at (360) 736-2167.