Septic System Do's And Don'ts
A septic system in Meridian will look after itself for a long time if a few habits are kept, and it will fail early if they are not. Idaho's Department of Environmental Quality puts the typical working life of a system at about twenty years and says good care can extend it. Our team has gathered the main do's and don'ts below, drawn from Idaho DEQ and the EPA. For septic service in Meridian, Eagle, Boise or Kuna, call (208) 248-6228 today for a quote.
Do
- Pump the tank every three to five years, and have the system inspected at least every three years.
- Know where the tank and drain field are, and keep a diagram and a record of maintenance.
- Conserve water: fix leaking taps and toilets, wash full loads, and spread laundry across the week.
- Direct water from roofs and driveways away from the tank and drain field.
- Use cleaning chemicals in moderation and as the label directs.
- Consider an effluent filter on the tank outlet and a lint filter on the washing machine; Idaho DEQ recommends both.
Our team is fully committed to reliable septic tank pumping in Meridian.
Don't
- Don't flush diapers, cat litter, cigarette filters, coffee grounds, feminine hygiene products, cotton swabs, dental floss or paper towels.
- Don't pour grease, cooking oil, paint, solvents, gasoline or pesticides down the drain.
- Don't flush old medicines; Idaho DEQ says to put them in the trash.
- Don't rely on a garbage disposal; it adds solids and brings the next pump-out closer.
- Don't use septic tank additives. Idaho DEQ says they are not necessary and do not reduce the need for pumping, and the EPA does not recommend them.
- Don't use caustic drain openers; use boiling water or a drain snake.
- Don't empty a hot tub into the system.
- Don't ever enter a septic tank. The gases and lack of oxygen can be fatal.
We will ensure that your septic tank cleaning in Meridian is handled by professionals.
Protecting the drain field
The drain field is where treatment finishes, and it is the part that is hardest to replace. Plant only grass over it; keep trees and shrubs away, and do not cover it with concrete or plastic. Never drive or park on it, and keep livestock off, because the weight compacts the soil and can crush the pipes. In irrigated country one rule matters more than most: do not flood irrigate over the drain field. Idaho DEQ says sprinklers are the way to water that area. Idaho also requires a reserved replacement area, which should be kept clear in the same way. We are committed to making drain field service in Meridian simple and reliable.
Before you dig or build
Check where the system is before any project in the yard. Idaho DEQ advises confirming the location of the tank and drain field before digging for any reason. A shop, an addition, a pool or a new driveway placed over the tank or the field causes lasting trouble, and Idaho's rules set distances between a septic system and buildings, wells, property lines and water. Central District Health in Boise handles septic permits for Ada County and offers an accessory use review for projects of this kind. See our drain field service page for more. When you need septic service in Meridian, our team is ready to help.