Septic System Maintenance Checklist

Septic System Maintenance Checklist

Maintaining your septic system regularly is key to avoiding costly repairs, preventing failures, and protecting your home and the environment. Here’s a simple septic system maintenance checklist to help you stay on top of important tasks and keep your system running smoothly.


Septic System Maintenance Checklist

Task Frequency Description
Inspect System Every 1-3 years Have a professional inspect the septic system, including the tank, drain field, and baffles.
Pump the Septic Tank Every 3-5 years Pump out accumulated solids and sludge to prevent clogs and backups. Frequency depends on tank size and usage.
Check Scum and Sludge Levels Every 1-2 years Monitor the build-up of scum and sludge to determine when pumping is necessary.
Check for Leaks Ongoing (monthly or quarterly) Check toilets, faucets, and pipes for leaks to avoid overloading the system with excess water.
Reduce Water Usage Ongoing Install water-saving devices like low-flow toilets and fix leaks promptly to avoid overloading the system.
Avoid Non-Septic-Safe Items Ongoing Do not flush items like wet wipes, feminine hygiene products, grease, or non-septic-safe cleaners.
Maintain Drain Field Ongoing Avoid parking or driving over the drain field, and direct rainwater away from it. Keep trees and shrubs away.
Check Alarms and Pumps Annually If you have a system with a pump or alarm, make sure these are working properly.
Use Septic-Friendly Products Ongoing Use septic-safe cleaning and laundry products to prevent damage to the bacteria in your septic system.
Inspect Effluent Filters Annually If your system has an effluent filter, clean or replace it as needed to prevent clogs.
Maintain Vegetation Ongoing Keep grass or shallow-rooted plants over the drain field to prevent erosion but avoid deep-rooted trees or shrubs.
Schedule Regular Additive Treatments Optional (based on need) Use septic-safe additives like RID-X only if recommended by a professional to support bacterial activity.

Additional Tips for Septic System Maintenance:

  • Spread out laundry loads: Avoid doing all your laundry on the same day to prevent overwhelming the system with excess water.
  • Don’t use a garbage disposal: Too many food scraps and solids can lead to septic system clogs. Use a compost bin instead.
  • Inspect after heavy rains: Check for water pooling around the drain field, which could indicate drainage problems.
  • Keep a maintenance log: Document all inspections, pumping, and repairs to track the health of your septic system.

download your checklist here

Septic_System_Maintenance_Checklist

Call center