According to The Spruce, about 25% of homes in the U.S. rely on septic tanks. They are often more prevalent in rural areas where municipal sewer systems are often not available. If you own a home with a septic tank, you need to know how to properly care for your system. Here are some of the most common questions people ask about their septic tanks, answered.

How Often Should It Be Pumped?

One of the most important parts of owning a septic tank is regular pumping. If you go too long without calling a septic tank pumping service, you may experience back-ups. Since there won't be any space left in the tank for sewage, it will start to collect in your drains and clog them. If this gets bad enough, it can become a hazard to anyone living in your home. To avoid this, you should get your tank pumped every few years, in our experience. If you're unsure if it's time for a pumping, give your local septic company a call. They'll be able to inspect the tank and let you know.

What Can and Can't Be Flushed?

The only thing that you should be flushing is human waste and toilet paper. Anything else can damage your septic tank or cause it to back up more frequently. Don't flush things like paper towels, feminine hygiene products, cooking grease, or flushable wipes. Contrary to popular belief, flushable wipes are bad for septic systems and can cause them to fail. Also, things like oil and grease are not only bad for your septic tank but they can damage your drains and pipes on the way down.

How Do I Know There's a Problem With My Tank?

If your septic system is beginning to fail, there will be several signs. You should familiarize yourself with these, so you can catch the problem as soon as possible. You may notice that things like your bathtub and sinks are draining very slowly, or they may be making weird sounds. If you hear a gurgling sound or smell foul odors coming from your plumbing fixtures, call a septic pumping service right away.

These are just a couple of the questions we get, so don't hesitate to reach out if you have more. If you're looking for a septic pumping service, contact A-1 Services Inc today. Our team would be happy to help.