Septic System FAQs

The drainfield, or leach field, is where the water from your septic system goes once it’s been treated and filtered out. The drainfield is built using piping that evenly distributes water back into the earth.

If you’re lucky enough to have a newer septic system, it may have an access lid visible at ground level. If so, locating your septic system is as simple as stepping into your yard. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case for older systems. If you have an older system, you might locate it by checking for greener, faster-growing grass or an area with less growth than the rest of your yard. If this doesn’t help, contact your county health department to request the septic system record drawing (also known as the “as-built” diagram) for your property. This will show you where your septic system is located.

If the health department doesn’t have a record of your system, you may need to use a tile probe to locate it. Start by finding where the sanitary line exits your home and follow the line until you locate your septic tank. If you still can’t find it, call a septic installer. As a last resort, your yard may need to be excavated to locate the septic tank.

Septic systems don’t have a set lifespan. With proper maintenance, your septic system can last for decades without the need for replacement. However, if your system fails or deteriorates due to poor maintenance, its lifespan is significantly shortened. The best way to get a rough estimate of how much longer your septic system will last is to have it inspected by a septic system installer or repair professional. If your tank is well-maintained, the installation date can give you an idea of how long it will last.

Installing a new system isn’t always necessary, but there are benefits to having a newer septic tank rather than an older one. For starters, with a new septic tank, you can be sure that if you properly maintain it, it will last for decades without you having to worry about it becoming “too old.” Newer systems are also designed to reduce the likelihood of backups. If something does go wrong with a new system or when it’s time to have your septic system pumped, a new system will likely be easier to locate, as they often have ground-level lids. New septic systems also provide secondary treatment for your wastewater, making it cleaner before it’s discharged. That said, if your home already has an older septic system installed, as long as it meets the regulations of your health department and is in good working order, it shouldn’t need to be replaced.

New septic systems can be a significant investment, often costing tens of thousands of dollars. If you need to replace an old septic system, consider exploring financing options that can make affording a new system easier for you. Ask your septic system installation company for more information about finding the best-priced septic systems and securing a low-interest financing plan.

The size of your septic tank depends on the water volume used in your home and local regulations. To find out how large your tank is, check with your county health department.

When your septic system isn’t pumped, the gases released by sewage waste build up and can accelerate the deterioration of your septic tank. By having your septic system pumped, you can slow down the rate of deterioration. It’s important to note, however, that deterioration is inevitable. Proper maintenance, including regular pumping, can help your septic system last longer. To avoid the cost of a brand-new tank, pumping your septic system every 2-3 years is the best thing you can do.

Newer septic systems often have risers, which make your tank accessible from ground level through a lid. If risers are installed, determining whether your tank needs to be pumped is simple for any septic system expert. However, if your tank cannot be accessed at ground level, it will need to be dug up to determine if it needs pumping. To avoid having to check your septic system, follow a schedule and have your system pumped every 2-3 years.

Risers create ground-level access to your septic system, making them ideal when it’s time to locate, pump, or repair your system. With a septic system lid, you’ll be able to mow your lawn and easily locate your system. Lids and risers also have the benefit of being accessible year-round, unlike older systems that require digging into your yard. During the winter months, if your septic system needs to be pumped or repaired, getting through layers of frozen ground can be difficult, if not impossible, and you may have to wait to access your tank.

An average septic system holds a 1,500-gallon tank, which typically needs to be pumped every 2-3 years for a family of four. If you have fewer than four people in your home, you may be able to pump your system every five years instead. To determine the size of your tank, contact your health department, and consult a septic system company to find out how often it needs to be pumped based on your family size and the tank’s capacity.

Check with your local health department to learn about the regulations specific to your area. Typically, as long as your septic system has been routinely pumped by a licensed septic company and recently enough for the new homeowners to live there for a year or two without needing another pump, you shouldn’t need to have it pumped again.

When looking for a septic system company to pump your septic tank, be aware that not all companies are licensed, and not all properly dispose of or recycle the waste they pump. Finding a company that follows EPA regulations should be your top priority. After that, consider pricing, how it is broken down, and which company offers the most honest, affordable, and reliable service. Look into company reviews, and when you choose a septic system company, ensure they do the job right by leaving enough water and waste to keep the sewage decomposing without leaving more than a few inches behind. For a list of certified pumpers, contact your local health department or search online for septic pumpers whose websites clearly state their certifications.

Pumping can cost upwards of $200, so always contact a number of pumpers before making a decision. Ask every question you can think of to ensure you’re getting the best service for your money. When it’s time to have your septic system pumped, don’t feel like you’re wasting your money. By properly maintaining your septic system, you can avoid paying tens of thousands of dollars to replace it long before it should need replacing.

By not pumping your septic tank, the solids will build up, eventually overflowing into the drain field and clogging it. This can cause backups, resulting in damage to your home and possibly requiring the drain field to be replaced, which can be a very costly mistake.

Septic systems are designed to refill quickly, as the purpose of pumping is to remove non-biodegradable waste, not the water itself. Once your septic system is pumped and you resume using water in your home, your tank will quickly refill to maintain proper functionality. If the water level gets too high, rising above the outlet line, contact your septic system service provider for assistance.

When performing an inspection, we ensure that your septic system is in good working order and meets the necessary requirements to qualify for a Certificate of Compliance. Homeowners often have their systems inspected when preparing to sell, as it can increase the value of your home if you can demonstrate that it has been inspected by a septic system professional certified by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. During the inspection, we’ll check that the liquid in your septic tank is at the correct level, verify that there is no surface-level discharge, assess whether the level of solid waste indicates it needs to be pumped, and identify any necessary repairs to improve system functionality.

Backed up drains that empty slowly are not always major causes for concern. Check first to make sure that there is nothing clogging your drain before assuming it’s a problem with your septic system. If only one plumbing fixture in your home is draining slowly, there’s a good chance that it’s clogged; however, if all of the drains in your home drain slowly or leave waste backed up, your septic system likely needs to be inspected and may need to be pumped.

When your septic system fails, you may experience minor problems like broken or interrupted pipes, often caused by intersecting tree roots. However, septic system failure can also mean that your septic tank has deteriorated to the point of needing replacement. Ideally, a clogged drainfield won’t be your issue, as it is the most expensive part of your system to replace. If it is, however, you can’t afford to delay repairs, as continued waste backup can damage your home. Signs of a clogged drainfield include slow-draining pipes, wet areas above your tank or drainfield, sewage odors in your yard, or contaminated well water. If you notice these issues, a clogged drainfield is likely, and you will need to replace it immediately to prevent further contamination of water sources.

With regular maintenance, your septic system should deteriorate at a normal rate lasting decades. Maintenance usually just includes having your septic system pumped on a timely schedule and making sure you don’t flush or wash anything down the drain that will clog your septic system.

As a general rule, only flush human waste and toilet paper. Flushing medications down the toilet is never a good idea, as they can kill the bacteria in your septic tank that is essential for breaking down solid waste. Additionally, medications can contaminate nearby well water. You should also avoid flushing feminine hygiene products, paper towels, tissues, hair, cat litter (even if labeled “flushable”), diapers, wipes, condoms, cigarettes, and anything else that is inorganic and shouldn’t be going down the toilet.

Kitchen grease, engine oil, anti-freeze, gasoline, paint, and food should not be poured down your drain. Your drains should be free of everything except for soap and water, but you should especially avoid pouring any type of chemicals down your drain that should not be recycled into the earth.

If you use a garbage disposal, you’ll unfortunately need to pump your septic system much more frequently than if you avoided washing food particles down your drains. Because food is not digested by the bacteria in your tank, too much accumulation of food can clog your drainfield. If you use a garbage disposal, talk to your septic system company about how often it needs to be pumped.

In general, adding bacteria to your septic tank is unnecessary. The bacteria produced by human waste is sufficient to break down the solid sewage in your tank without the need for additives. However, if several members of your household are using medications, these can enter your septic system through human waste and kill some of the essential bacteria in your tank. To determine whether you should be concerned about the amount of bacteria-killing substances entering your system, contact your septic system company.

A strong sewage smell coming from your yard could very easily be your septic system, but it could also be coming from something else entirely. Check for propane or gas leaks in your home before deciding that your septic system is to blame, but if your gas or propane lines are not leaking, check how long it’s been since you’ve had your tank pumped, and whether there’s any sewage waste in your yard or other signs of septic system failure.

If your septic system is not properly maintained or your septic system fails, your septic system can contaminate nearby water sources. Make sure that you have your septic system pumped frequently and inspected if you think there are signs of septic system failure.

If your gutters drain into your yard above your septic system, particularly your drainfield, it can be detrimental to your septic system. All water should be routed away from your septic system to avoid flooding or damage to your septic system’s tank or drainfield.