A New Homeowner’s Guide to Septic System Maintenance in Strafford County, NH

If you’ve recently purchased a new home and have a septic system for the very first time, you might have some questions about the general upkeep you need to perform to keep the system in good operational condition. The good news is that these systems are generally easy to use and maintain, but it is important that you have a general understanding of how your system works so you can provide the best possible septic system care in Strafford County, NH.

Let’s take a closer look at what you should know about maintaining your septic system.

Determine what kind of system you have

The type of maintenance you need to perform on your system largely depends on the exact kind of septic system you have in place. There are several types of septic systems. You should develop a general understanding of your type of system, and then pay special attention to the specific characteristics of your system, such as the size of the tank and drain field, the location of the drain field, etc. It can be very helpful if you can get documents from the seller about the system, including manuals, service receipts and names of the previous service provider(s).

There’s a chance you may have a more advanced type of septic system, especially if you have a newer home and live in an area where there is a larger focus on clean water. Advanced treatment technology (ATT) systems will have an extra filter after the septic tank that may need to be maintained as well.

Determine the condition of your system

Whenever you purchase a new property, you are required to have a home inspection performed to make sure everything is up to snuff before the deal goes through. It’s a good idea to have the septic system inspected as well, because a general home inspector likely won’t have the expertise necessary to perform a reasonably reliable inspection.

A visit from a septic tank specialist will help you determine approximately when the tank was last pumped (and when it will need to be pumped again), the age of the system, the condition of the pump and some of its mechanical parts and the condition of the drain field, among other things. The technician who performs this inspection will then generate reports that you should keep for your records.

It’s a good idea to get a sense of where you currently stand with the condition of your system so you know what you’re getting into in terms of any potential maintenance and repair issues you might be responsible for.

Adjust everyday usage

If you’ve never used a septic system before, it’s important to know some simple facts about how to safely use it on a day-to-day basis. For example, you should try to reduce water usage to prevent your septic system from being overloaded. Try to space out your laundry and dishes, and avoid taking overly long showers. You should also avoid placing certain items down the drains—don’t put too many solids through the garbage disposal, and don’t flush anything down a toilet that you’re not supposed to.

For more information about septic system care in Strafford County, NH, contact B.H. Cameron Septic Services LLC today.

Categorised in: Septic System

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