Does anyone know about septic tank maintenance?

[Bertha Venation]

What should be done? How often? What are the consequences, if any, if no action is taken at all?

[Blue Diadem]

1. Do you know the size?

I use inspectipedia to get a lot of info on various maintenance and house repairs.

http://www.inspect-ny.com/septic/tankpump.htm

[Bertha Venation]

3. That is a very handy link.

According to a table there, I have another year before I have to have it pumped out. :) It's a good article, lots of information.

Thanks!

[Upton]

2. Get yourself some septic tank activator

flush that in there according to the directions...it will help maintain the proper bacterial levels.

[Bertha Venation]

4. I have done this sporadically but I know it should be done monthly.

Thanks!

[velvet]

5. should be emptied every few years

Depending on the size of tank and household and the local government regulations in your area.

You get a waste disposal company to come round with a tanker and they suck your tank empty of solids and liquid and take the contents away ... somewhere.

If you take no action, as in my ignorance I didn't when I moved to a house with a septic tank, eventually the solids will clog the system. In my case the old clay outlet pipes leading to the transpiration field broke and so did the concrete lid on the tank. The flies liked it.