Septic System  Information

Keep the drainfield/mound and tank areas mowed and as part of your lawn, mowing helps the septic work more efficiently and keeps long grass and brush from growing which can cause damage to pipe work, this also helps with any future inspection and maintenance services. Pumping your septic system should be done every 3 years, have the tank pumped and the system looked at to make sure everything is working correctly. Pumping helps keep the sludge down in the tanks which helps keep it out of the drainfield which can lead to further problems. Look over your drainfield/mound and fill in any holes.  

Cleanliness is close to godliness but too much of good thing is still too much.  Septic systems in general run on bacteria, they are needed out in the tank and drainfield to help treat the waste.  When too many bacteria killing products are used in the house this can strongly affect the system, killing bacteria, and cause it to not work properly. Also, DO NOT flush wipes, feminine products or any other garage down the toilet. They do not decompose and sit in the tank until they are pumped out. 

Water softeners, water filters of any kind, and drain tile from around the house foundation are all unmeasured amounts of water and should NOT be put into the septic system.  They are considered clean water by the MPCA and can be put out onto the lawn or pumped out to their own french drain out in the yard.

Septic systems in the winter should maintain their base temperature of 50-55 degrees.  The system should be checked in the summer to make sure all caps and lids are on securely with no cracks that would let in cold air.  If the house has very light water use, make sure to run a large amount of hot water each or every other day to help maintain that temperature which will help prevent freezing, like a dishwasher, laundry on hot, or a bath. Sometimes a line may get a dip in it which will cause it to freeze and will need to be dug up in the summer and repaired.  Finally in the fall, leave the grass a little long, about 6-8 inches over the septic site as added insulation for it.  

During a flood or in the spring of the year if the snow has melted but the frost hasn't come out of the ground and the yard is flooded. Most systems will fill up with the flood water and there isn't much to be done until the water is gone. If you are in an area that this frequently happens, we recommend having a gate valve installed on the line coming from the house so it can be shut which will help prevent sewage backing up into the house. 

If you happen to have a rental property make sure to have a few signs at the property mentioning the septic system and how to use it properly for short term users, and maintain it properly if they are a long time renter.