For those who are not able to connect to municipal sewers, septic tanks are essential. A septic tank treats the wastewater that your home produces. If you have a septic system, it's not all that different from using municipal sewer hookups. However, you will need to take steps to maintain your septic system. Failing to maintain your septic system can lead to expensive repairs. Here are three things that you should know about septic tank maintenance.

When You Need It

Septic tank maintenance typically involves an inspection and septic tank pumping. Septic tank inspection services are necessary every three years, while septic tank pumping is necessary every three to five years for most systems. However, depending on your household's size, how much waste you produce, and the size of your septic tank, you may need a septic tank pumping more frequently. Taking steps to make sure that your drain field is in good condition is also vital. Ensure that you keep vehicles off the drain field, ensure that water does not drain toward that area, and avoid planting trees near the drain field.

How Much It Costs

The cost of septic tank inspection services and pumping will vary depending on your septic system's size. The larger your septic tank, the more it will cost to pump. On average, you can expect to pay in the range of $275 to $580 for septic tank maintenance services. Your septic technician will inspect your system for damage and will note if any repairs are necessary. Make sure that you save this information for the future to keep track of how your septic system is doing over time.

What You Should Do Daily

While septic maintenance services from a professional are a necessity, there are also many things that you should be doing daily to keep your septic system in working condition. First, only flush toilet paper. Anything else can clog or damage your septic system. You may also want to avoid using your garbage disposal since it can lead to issues. It's also important to avoid pouring oils and grease down the drain. Heavy-duty drain cleaners are also not recommended for septic systems.

When it comes to septic system maintenance, there are a few things that you need to know. Knowing how often your system requires maintenance is also vital. Most systems will need an inspection and septic pumping every few years. Costs will vary, but maintenance services will typically set you back a few hundred dollars. There are also plenty of things that you can do daily to maintain your septic system. Contact a septic tank inspection service for additional information.