A Complete Guide to Septic System Maintenance

List of articles explaining how to maintain, diagnose, or repair a septic system
- Septic system maintenance guide - online article explains how to take care of a septic system
Questions & Answers about how best to maintain the septic tank and drainfield.
References

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Septic system maintenance bible: This is a list of detailed articles about private septic system inspection, diagnosis, maintenance, and repair, including all septic system components: sewer piping, septic tanks, distribution boxes, drainfields, soakaway beds, cesspools, drywells, septic pumps and alarms, septic system treatments etc.

A Complete Guide to Septic System Maintenance & Repair

This article series answers just about any question you might have about buying or owning a house with a septic system. Here we provide complete detail on how to maintain and repair septic tanks and all other components of septic systems. We discuss how to provide septic system care to avoid replacing the septic system unnecessarily. Septic cleaning and septic maintenance procedures, septic inspection methods, septic repair guides are provided here in articles for home owners, home buyers, and septic system designers, installers, and septic system maintenance contractors. We include tables for septic tank pumping frequency and other septic maintenance procedures.

This page organizes and links to our detailed septic system inspection, test, repair, and design articles, including our online septic systems book. Septic testing class presentations, photos, sketches, tables, links to products and consultants are provided. If you do not quickly find here information you need, CONTACT us.

Abandoned or New Septic System inspection & testing suggestions
Abandoning a Septic Tank - Guide - how to safely find & abandoned unused septic tanks, cesspools, drywells
Additives & Chemicals for septic system maintenance. Are septic products needed? Are septic treatments legal?
Aerobic Septic System Products Directory List
AGE of PLUMBING MATERIALS & FIXTURES including piping, plumbing fixtures, septic systems, cesspools, drainfields
Alternative Septic System Product Suppliers List
Blocked Drain Repair Methods - do-it-yourself steps you can try to clear a clogged drain before calling a professional plumber
Books on Septic Systems to Buy Online, our list of recommended books on septic system maintenance, design, and alternative designs available at Amazon.com - septic system education materials
Clogged Drain and Septic Backup Diagnosis - is the problem the septic system failure or a building drain system clog?
Contamination in buildings how to test buildings for bacterial contamination from sewage and septic backup, remediation, & references
Curtain drains or intercept drains can protect septic drainfields in areas of wet soils or surface and subsurface groundwater
Design Guide for Septic Systems complete list of detailed "how to" articles
Distribution Box - Septic D-BOX Inspection provides for help in finding and inspecting the septic system drainfield distribution box
Don't Flush these things into a septic system: a list of what's ok and what's not ok to put into septic tanks and building drains offers important septic maintenance advice
Drain Noises: may indicate defective or clogged plumbing: how to diagnose and cure drain sounds
Filters for Septic Systems - how and where filters are used to protect septic drainfields and other septic system components
Filters for Septic Systems - Product Suppliers, Septic Filters & Wastewater Treatment Systems Using Filtration Methods Products Directory
SEPTIC FLOOD RESPONSE what to do after a septic system has been exposed to flooding: key septic repair and maintenance steps and when to do them
Garbage Grinders and garbage disposal units - effects on septic systems and on the need for septic tank cleaning
Grazing, Animals Over Septic Fields, is it a problem?
Gravelless septic systems - "no-rock" septic designs
Gravelless Septic System Suppliers Directory List Leach Field Septic Systems Products Directory List
Inspection & Testing of Septic Systems complete list of detailed "how to" articles
Leach Field Inspection Procedure septic leach fields - how to inspect and diagnose septic drainfield failures
Life Expectancy of Septic Systems and septic system components and the relationship of field life to septic maintenance
Maintenance: Ten Steps to Keeping a Septic System Working, septic maintenance suggestions from the U.S. EPA, edits and additions by DJF
Maintenance & Repair of Septic Systems complete list of detailed "how to" article
Other Septic Wastewater Treatment Products List
Plumbers & Septic Repair Companies List
Planting Over Septic Systems: trees, shrubs, groundcover over the septic system: what can you plant over or near septic system components without causing a problem?
Planting Gardens Near Septics, vegetables, fruits, other types of gardens
Planting Grasses or Flowers Over Septic Systems what's OK
Planting Ground Cover, Ivy Over Septic Systems what's OK
Planting Trees or Shrubs Over or Near Septic Systems what's OK
Plumbers & Septic Repair Companies Directory List & Septic Repair Companies List
Pumps Septic pumps, sewage ejector pumps, grinder pumps, effluent pumps, sump pumps, & septic pumping stations compared; pump alarms. Advice.
Pumping Stations describes sewer system pumping stations.
Root Killers Over Septic Fields, is there a concern?
"Roto Rooters" and Power Drain Snakes to clear clogged septic fields
Safety: Septic System, Septic Tank, & cesspool safety warnings for septic inspectors, septic pumpers, and homeowners
SEWAGE & SEPTIC CONTAMINANTS - what contaminants are found in sewage or septic effluent
Sewage Pump Clog Damage - list of items that clog and damage or destroy different types of sewage pumps, grinder pumps, and ejector pumps
SEWAGE CONTAMINANTS in FRUIT / VEGETABLES - is it OK for you eat fruits and vegetables grown over a septic drainfield?
Sewage & Septic Backups and what to do about sewage spillage in buildings
Sewage Contaminants which may be released from sewage spills from residential septic systems and wastewater disposal systems
Septic Effluent Distribution Products Directory List
Septic Tanks: septic tank types are described at TANK INSPECTION PROCEDURE and include
- steel septic tanks,
- concrete septic tanks,
- plastic and
- fiberglass septic tanks, and
- home-made septic tanks that we've found constructed of stone, concrete block, bamboo, brick, and wood.
  Also see Septic Tank Suppliers: a directory list of septic tank suppliers and see ALTERNATIVE SEPTIC PRODUCTS for directory lists of other septic system component suppliers.
SEPTIC or SEWER CONNECTION? - how to determine if a building is connected to a septic tank or to a public sewer line
Septic Tank Abandonment Guide - how to safely find & abandoned unused septic tanks, cesspools, drywells
Septic Tank Depth - how deep will we find or install a septic tank
Septic Tank Inspection Procedure - how to inspect septic tanks and evaluate the septic tank condition, baffles, sludge levels, damage, evidence of septic failure, etc.
Septic Tank Leaks can prevent a valid septic loading and dye test and can damage the drainfield
Septic Tank Location - How to Find the Septic Tank, how deep will the cover be, how to document its location
Septic D-BOX Inspection provides for help in finding and inspecting the septic system drainfield distribution box
SEPTIC TANK PUMPING REASONS why relying on the septic tank pumping schedule table or advice from pumping contractors isn't enough
Septic Tank Pumping Frequency Guide for septic tanks: when, how, what to watch for when pumping or cleaning septic tanks - the key septic maintenance schedule
Septic Tank Pumping Procedure step by step photo guideline of how to pump and clean a septic tank - septic tank care
Septic Tank Size: how to determine the size of a septic tank, septic tank size and capacity vs. usage determine the required septic tank size, calculate size of an existing septic tank
Septic Tank Types: characteristics and inspection guide for steel, concrete, plastic, fiberglass, and home made septic tanks
Septic Pumper Truck Operation Procedures. How the septic tank pumping truck is set up for septic tank cleaning operations.
Septic Tank Sludge and Floating Scum: what makes up the contents of residential sewage
Septic Sludge & Scum Levels in septic tanks - measuring the level of accumulated solids, sludge and floating scum in treatment tanks
Sewer Gas Odors diagnosing, finding, and curing septic tank and sewer line smells
Sewer Gas - Methane and other septic system gas explosion or asphyxiation hazards such as hydrogen sulfide
Sewer Line Replacement diagnosing a clogged drain leads to drain line replacement - step by step photo-illustrated guide to drain replacement
Septic Tank Suppliers Directory List septic tank suppliers
Swimming Pool Clearance distance to septic components
Tank Location - how to find the septic tank, how deep will the cover be, how to document its location
TOILET OVERFLOW EMERGENCY: how to stop a toilet from overflowing
TOILET TISSUE CHOICES and TOILET TISSUE TEST: Toilet paper: what kind of bathroom tissue to use in septic systems, testing toilet paper for septic tank breakdown
Toilets, Composting Toilets, Biological Toilets, No-water/Low water toilets, Waterless toilets, Chemical Toilets, Incinerating Toilets and related products list
Ten Steps to Keeping a Septic System Working, septic maintenance suggestions from the U.S. EPA, edits and additions by DJF
Wet Weather or Cold Weather Septic Odors or Sewage Odor Diagnosis & Repair Guide diagnosing and eliminating cold weather sewer gas odors
WATER SOFTENERS & CONDITIONERS maintenance, adjustment, and water softener effect on drinking water; potential effects of salts on septic systems

Also see These Directory Lists of Septic System Parts & Supplies

Aerobic Septic System Products Directory List
Alternative Septic System Product Suppliers List
Filters, Septic Filters & Wastewater Treatment Systems Using Filtration Methods Products Directory
Gravelless Leach Field Septic Systems Products Directory List
Septic Effluent Distribution Products Directory List
Toilets, Composting Toilets, Biological Toilets, No-water/Low water toilets, Waterless toilets, Chemical Toilets, Incinerating Toilets and related products list
Other Septic Wastewater Treatment Products List
Plumbers & Septic Repair Companies List
Septic Tanks septic tank suppliers

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about septic system design & code references & documents & drawings

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Technical Reviewers & References

Related Topics, found near the top of this page suggest articles closely related to this one.

The Septic System Information Website home page for this topic
Septic Systems Inspection, Testing, & Maintenance- online textbook. Detailed how to inspect, maintain, repair information
The Home Buyer's Guide to Septic Systems
Septic Tank Pumping Guide: When, Why, How to pump the septic tank
Home & Outdoor Living Water Requirements
Septic Tank Capacity vs Usage in Daily Gallons of Wastewater Flow, calculating required septic tank size, calculating septic tank volume from size measurements
Septic Tank/Soil-Absorption Systems: How to Operate & Maintain [ copy on file as /septic/Septic_Operation_USDA.pdf ] - , Equipment Tips, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 8271 1302, 7100 Engineering, 2300 Recreation, September 1982, web search 08/28/2010, original source: http://www.fs.fed.us/t-d/pubs/pdfimage/82711302.pdf.
How Big Should the Leach Field Be? - table of soil percolation rate vs. field size
Septic System Drainfield Absorption System Biomat Formation - what leads to drain field clogging and expensive drainfield repairs
Table of Required Septic & Well Clearances: Distances Between Septic System & Wells, Streams, Trees, etc.
Ten Steps to Keeping a Septic System Working, suggestions from the U.S. EPA, edits and additions by DJF
Pennsylvania State Fact Sheets relating to domestic wastewater treatment systems include

Pennsylvania State Wastewater Treatment Fact Sheet SW-161, Septic System Failure: Diagnosis and Treatment
Pennsylvania State Wastewater Treatment Fact Sheet SW-162, The Soil Media and the Percolation Test
Pennsylvania State Wastewater Treatment Fact Sheet SW-l64, Mound Systems for Wastewater Treatment
Pennsylvania State Wastewater Treatment Fact Sheet SW-165, Septic Tank-Soil Absorption Systems
Document Sources used for this web page include but are not limited to: Agricultural Fact Sheet #SW-161 "Septic Tank Pumping," by Paul D. Robillard and Kelli S. Martin. Penn State College of Agriculture - Cooperative Extension, edited and annotated by Dan Friedman (Thanks: to Bob Mackey for proofreading the original source material.)

Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair

Our recommended books about building & mechanical systems design, inspection, problem diagnosis, and repair, and about indoor environment and IAQ testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the InspectAPedia Bookstore. Also see our Book Reviews - InspectAPedia.

The Home Reference Book - the Encyclopedia of Homes, Carson Dunlop & Associates, Toronto, Ontario, 25th Ed., 2012, is a bound volume of more than 450 illustrated pages that assist home inspectors and home owners in the inspection and detection of problems on buildings. The text is intended as a reference guide to help building owners operate and maintain their home effectively. Field inspection worksheets are included at the back of the volume. Special Offer: For a 10% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference Book purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.

Or choose the The Home Reference eBook for PCs, Macs, Kindle, iPad, iPhone, or Android Smart Phones. Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference eBook purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAEHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.

Building inspection education & report writing systems from Carson, Dunlop & Associates Ltd

Inspecting Septic Systems: Online Book, Inspection, Test, Diagnosis, Repair, & Maintenance: our Online Septic Book: Septic Testing, Loading & Dye Tests, Septic Tank Pumping, Clearances, details of onsite waste disposal system inspection, testing, repair procedures.

Advanced Onsite Wastewater Systems Technologies, Anish R. Jantrania, Mark A. Gross. Anish Jantrania, Ph.D., P.E., M.B.A., is a Consulting Engineer, in Mechanicsville VA, 804-550-0389 (2006). Outstanding technical reference especially on alternative septic system design alternatives. Written for designers and engineers, this book is not at all easy going for homeowners but is a text I recommend for professionals--DF.
Builder's Guide to Wells and Septic Systems, Woodson, R. Dodge: $ 24.95; MCGRAW HILL B; TP; Quoting from Amazon's description: For the homebuilder, one mistake in estimating or installing wells and septic systems can cost thousands of dollars. This comprehensive guide filled with case studies can prevent that. Master plumber R. Dodge Woodson packs this reader-friendly guide with guidance and information, including details on new techniques and materials that can economize and expedite jobs and advice on how to avoid mistakes in both estimating and construction. Chapters cover virtually every aspect of wells and septic systems, including on-site evaluations; site limitations; bidding; soil studies, septic designs, and code-related issues; drilled and dug wells, gravel and pipe, chamber-type, and gravity septic systems; pump stations; common problems with well installation; and remedies for poor septic situations. Woodson also discusses ways to increase profits by avoiding cost overruns.
Country Plumbing: Living with a Septic System, Hartigan, Gerry: $ 9.95; ALAN C HOOD & TP; Quoting an Amazon reviewer's comment, with which we agree--DF:This book is informative as far as it goes and might be most useful for someone with an older system. But it was written in the early 1980s. A lot has changed since then. In particular, the book doesn't cover any of the newer systems that are used more and more nowadays in some parts of the country -- sand mounds, aeration systems, lagoons, etc.

Design Manuals for Septic Systems

US EPA Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems Manual [online copy, free] Top Reference: US EPA's Design Manual for Onsite Wastewater Treatment and Disposal, 1980, available from the US EPA, the US GPO Superintendent of Documents (Pueblo CO), and from the National Small Flows Clearinghouse. Original source http://www.epa.gov/ORD/NRMRL/Pubs/625R00008/625R00008.htm Onsite wastewater treatment and disposal systems, Richard J Otis, published by the US EPA. Although it's more than 20 years old, this book remains a useful reference for septic system designers. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water Program Operations; Office of Research and Development, Municipal Environmental Research Laboratory; (1980)
Eco John® Innovative Toilet Solutions, Global Inventive Industries, Fountain Valley CA, PDF, product brochure
"International Private Sewage Disposal Code," 1995, BOCA-708-799-2300, ICBO-310-699-0541, SBCCI 205-591-1853, available from those code associations.
"Manual of Policy, Procedures, and Guidelines for Onsite Sewage Systems," Ontario Reg. 374/81, Part VII of the Environmental Protection Act (Canada), ISBN 0-7743-7303-2, Ministry of the Environment,135 St. Clair Ave. West, Toronto Ontario M4V 1P5 Canada $24. CDN.
Manual of Septic Tank Practice, US Public Health Service's 1959.

Onsite Wastewater Disposal Books

Onsite Wastewater Disposal, R. J. Perkins; Quoting from Amazon: This practical book, co-published with the National Environmental Health Association, describes the step-by-step procedures needed to avoid common pitfalls in septic system technology. Valuable in matching the septic system to the site-specific conditions, this useful book will help you install a reliable system in both suitable and difficult environments. Septic tank installers, planners, state and local regulators, civil and sanitary engineers, consulting engineers, architects, homeowners, academics, and land developers will find this publication valuable.
Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems, Bennette D. Burks, Mary Margaret Minnis, Hogarth House 1994 - one of the best septic system books around, suffering a bit from small fonts and a weak index. While it contains some material more technical than needed by homeowners, Burks/Minnis book on onsite wastewater treatment systems a very useful reference for both property owners and septic system designers.
Septic Tank/Soil-Absorption Systems: How to Operate & Maintain [ copy on file as /septic/Septic_Operation_USDA.pdf ] - , Equipment Tips, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 8271 1302, 7100 Engineering, 2300 Recreation, September 1982, web search 08/28/2010, original source: http://www.fs.fed.us/t-d/pubs/pdfimage/82711302.pdf
Soil Percolation Tests soil perc testing guide and instructions
Percolation Testing Manual, CNMI Division of Environmental Quality, PO Box 501304, Saipan, MP 96950
Planting Over Septic System Component", Daniel Friedman (author/editor, InspectAPedia.com), The Innovator, Winter/Spring 2008, BCOSSA, British Columbia OnSite Sewage Association, 201-3542 Blansard St., Victoria BC V8X 1W3 Canada
Save the Septic System - Do Not Flush These Items Down the Toilet, Daniel Friedman, InspectAPedia.com - PDF document, printable
SEPTIC STANDARDS
SEPTIC MAGAZINES
Septic System Owner's Manual, Lloyd Kahn, Blair Allen, Julie Jones, Shelter Publications, 2000 $14.95 U.S. - easy to understand, well illustrated, one of the best practical references around on septic design basics including some advanced systems; a little short on safety and maintenance. Both new and used (low priced copies are available, and we think the authors are working on an updated edition--DF. Quoting from one of several Amazon reviews: The basics of septic systems, from underground systems and failures to what the owner can do to promote and maintain a healthy system, is revealed in an excellent guide essential for any who reside on a septic system. Rural residents receive a primer on not only the basics; but how to conduct period inspections and what to do when things go wrong. History also figures into the fine coverage.
Test Pit Preparation for Onsite Sewage Evaluations, State of Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, Portland OR, 800 452-4011. PDF document. We recommend this excellent document that offers detail about soil perc tests, deep hole tests, safety, and septic design. Readers should also see Soil Percolation Tests and for testing an existing septic system, also see Dye Tests
Grass is Always Greener Over the Septic Tank, Bombeck, Erma: $ 5.99; FAWCETT; MM; This septic system classic whose title helps avoid intimidating readers new to septic systems, is available new or used at very low prices. It's more entertainment than a serious "how to" book on septic systems design, maintenance, or repair. Not recommended -- DF.
US EPA Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems Manual Top Reference: US EPA's Design Manual for Onsite Wastewater Treatment and Disposal, 1980, available from the US EPA, the US GPO Superintendent of Documents (Pueblo CO), and from the National Small Flows Clearinghouse. Original source http://www.epa.gov/ORD/NRMRL/Pubs/625R00008/625R00008.htm
Water Wells and Septic Systems Handbook, R. Dodge Woodson. This book is in the upper price range, but is worth the cost for serious septic installers and designers. Quoting Amazon: Each year, thousands upon thousands of Americans install water wells and septic systems on their properties. But with a maze of codes governing their use along with a host of design requirements that ensure their functionality where can someone turn for comprehensive, one-stop guidance? Enter the Water Wells and Septic Systems Handbook from McGraw-Hill.
Written in language any property owner can understand yet detailed enough for professionals and technical students this easy-to-use volume delivers the latest techniques and code requirements for designing, building, rehabilitating, and maintaining private water wells and septic systems. Bolstered by a wealth of informative charts, tables, and illustrations, this book delivers:
* Current construction, maintenance, and repair methods
* New International Private Sewage Disposal Code
* Up-to-date standards from the American Water Works Association
Wells and Septic Systems, Alth, Max and Charlet, Rev. by S. Blackwell Duncan, $ 18.95; Tab Books 1992. We have found this text very useful for conventional well and septic systems design and maintenance --DF. Quoting an Amazon description:Here's all the information you need to build a well or septic system yourself - and save a lot of time, money, and frustration. S. Blackwell Duncan has thoroughly revised and updated this second edition of Wells and Septic Systems to conform to current codes and requirements. He also has expanded this national bestseller to include new material on well and septic installation, water storage and distribution, water treatment, ecological considerations, and septic systems for problem building sites.
The NSFC Products List has an excellent list of design manuals/modules available from their website or by telephone 800-624-8301
Submissions welcome. send us a suggested document link or request an exchange of website links
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