Why Septic Tank Maintenance Is Important

Modern plumbing has been part of people’s everyday lives for about a century now. In its early days, it worked a bit differently than it does now. That’s especially true of the portions of plumbing systems that take wastewater away from people’s homes and direct it outside. In fact, wastewater wasn’t really dealt with at all in the beginning. It wasn’t long, though, before septic tanks became common and were honed into the versions we use today. While septic tanks are an integral component of modern plumbing systems, keeping them in working order requires ongoing maintenance. In general, experts recommend septic tank inspections every one to three years and taking advantage of the septic pumping services available to you at least every three to five years. Why is septic system maintenance important, though? Read on to learn more. 

Preventing Health and Safety Issues

One of the main reasons septic tank maintenance is important is keeping health and safety issues at bay. Septic systems treat wastewater coming from toilets, sinks, washing machines, and other sources. They remove bacteria, viruses, parasites, chemical contaminants, and other hazards from wastewater before it returns to the environment to be reused. If a septic system isn’t working the way it should, it can allow untreated wastewater to make its way into the groundwater supply. All the contaminants it contains can cause major problems for people and animals. Septic tank maintenance ensures that doesn’t happen.

Protecting the Environment

Those previously mentioned contaminants can also cause an array of environmental issues. When they enter the environment, they can accumulate in soil, water, and plants. If left to their own devices, they can affect entire ecosystems. Septic tank maintenance addresses leaks, overflows, and other issues that allow untreated wastewater to spread. That, in turn, prevents contaminants from getting out of hand. 

Making Your Septic System Last Longer

Beyond the health and environmental aspects, septic tank maintenance will make your system last longer. Regularly pumping the system gets rid of solids accumulated in the tank so it doesn’t get clogged or overloaded. That also reduces the risk of septic tank damage. If minor damage is developing, routine inspections and maintenance ensure it’s resolved early on before it has a chance to cause more serious problems. As such, your system will last longer, and you won’t need to replace it as often.

Saving Money

Routine septic system inspections and maintenance can also save you a great deal of money in the long run. They come at a price, but it’s minimal compared to the cost of having the entire system replaced prematurely. It’s also a minor expense compared to the cost of resolving the property damage a malfunctioning septic system can cause. It’s a minimal expense in comparison to the environmental damage and health risks of allowing untreated wastewater to leave your septic system as well. 

Keeping Your Septic System Working Properly

Septic tanks are essential components of modern plumbing systems. As long as they’re working properly, they prevent wastewater and all its contaminants from causing illnesses and environmental damage. Septic system maintenance is the key to keeping septic systems working the way they’re supposed to. It can also keep your septic tank in good condition for longer and save you quite a bit of money over time. Besides that, it can keep your family safe and healthy and help save the planet. With all that being the case, the benefits of septic tank maintenance are well worth the investment.