Owning a home with a septic system can come with questions, especially if you have never had one before. How often does the tank need to be pumped? Can you use a garbage disposal? Will your yard smell during service? Which warning signs require immediate attention?
There is no reason to feel uncomfortable asking. Understanding how your septic system works can help you avoid backups, protect your drain field and recognize problems before they cause extensive damage.
JT Services provides complete septic services in Claremore and throughout Northeast Oklahoma, including pumping, inspections, repairs and emergency service. Here are honest answers to six questions homeowners frequently ask our team.
1. How Often Should I Have My Septic Tank Pumped?
Most household septic tanks should typically be pumped every three to five years. However, there is no single schedule that is right for every home.
The appropriate pumping frequency depends on factors such as:
- Septic tank size
- Number of people in the home
- Amount of wastewater produced
- Volume of solids entering the system
- Use of a garbage disposal
- System type and condition
A larger household may need pumping more frequently than one or two people using a similar-sized tank. Waiting too long can allow sludge and scum to accumulate inside the tank. Eventually, solid material may move into the drain field and contribute to clogs, backups or system damage.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends that the average household septic system be professionally inspected at least every three years. Alternative systems with pumps, float switches or mechanical components generally need more frequent inspections, often annually.
If you do not know when your tank was last pumped, schedule a professional septic inspection. A septic professional can evaluate the system and help you establish an appropriate maintenance schedule.
Is your tank due for routine service? Learn more about septic pumping and schedule service with JT Services.
2. Can I Use a Garbage Disposal With a Septic System?
Yes, but it is best to limit how often you use it.
A garbage disposal does not make food disappear. It grinds food into smaller pieces that travel into the septic tank, where they add to the amount of solid material the system must hold and process. Frequent garbage disposal use may cause solids to accumulate more quickly and could increase how often the tank needs to be pumped.
Whenever possible, place food scraps in the trash or compost instead. Never put the following items down a garbage disposal:
- Cooking grease, fats or oils
- Bones
- Coffee grounds
- Fibrous vegetable peels
- Eggshells
- Nonfood materials
- Paint, solvents or household chemicals
Even when a disposal is labeled for use with septic systems, it is still important to be careful about what enters it. Proper waste disposal can reduce stress on the tank and help protect the drain field.
3. What Can I Do to Keep My Septic System Healthy?
Some of the most effective septic maintenance habits begin inside your home. Everything that goes down a toilet, sink, shower or appliance drain eventually reaches the septic system.
To help protect your system:
Use Water Efficiently
Sending too much water into the tank at once can interfere with treatment and overwhelm the drain field. Repair leaking faucets and running toilets, run full loads in your washing machine and dishwasher, and spread laundry throughout the week.
Only Flush Toilet Paper and Human Waste
Wipes, including products marketed as flushable, do not break down as easily as toilet paper. Diapers, paper towels, feminine hygiene products, dental floss and other non-biodegradable materials should also stay out of toilets.
Keep Harmful Materials Out of Drains
Do not pour grease, paint, solvents, pesticides, automotive fluids or large amounts of harsh chemicals down household drains. These materials may disrupt the wastewater treatment process, damage components or contaminate the surrounding environment.
Protect the Drain Field
Do not park vehicles, construct buildings or place heavy equipment over the drain field. Direct roof runoff and other surface water away from the area so additional water does not interfere with wastewater treatment.
Schedule Routine Professional Service
Regular pumping and inspections help prevent excessive buildup and give a professional an opportunity to identify developing problems. Learn more about the benefits of regular septic system maintenance and how proactive care can protect your property.
Not sure what condition your system is in? Schedule a septic inspection with JT Services to get a clearer picture of its condition and maintenance needs.
4. Can I Plant Flowers, Shrubs or Trees Over My Drain Field?
Landscaping around a septic system requires careful planning. The wrong plants can develop deep or aggressive roots that damage pipes or interfere with the drain field.
Grass and other shallow-rooted ground cover are generally the safest choices. Their roots can help control erosion without growing deeply enough to threaten underground components.
Avoid planting the following on or near the drain field:
- Trees
- Large shrubs
- Deep-rooted plants
- Vegetable gardens
- Plants that require frequent watering
Trees and woody shrubs should be planted far enough away that their mature root systems will not reach septic lines or other components. The appropriate distance depends on the plant species and the location of your system, so ask a septic professional before making major landscaping changes.
Do not install patios, sheds, play structures or other permanent features over the drain field. Septic components need to remain accessible for inspections, pumping and repairs. Structures and compacted soil can also prevent the drain field from functioning properly.
5. Will It Smell When My Septic Tank Is Pumped?
Some temporary odor is normal while a septic tank is open and being pumped. The technician must remove the access cover and extract the tank’s contents, which can release odors for a short time.
Closing nearby windows and doors before the service begins can help prevent the smell from entering your home. Once pumping is complete and the tank is properly closed, the odor should dissipate.
A persistent sewage smell before or after service is different. Ongoing odors inside your home or around the tank and drain field may indicate:
- A full tank
- A damaged or loose access cover
- A plumbing vent problem
- A leak
- A saturated or failing drain field
- Another system malfunction
Persistent septic odors should not be ignored. JT Services provides professional septic repair services to identify the cause and recommend an appropriate solution.
6. What Should I Do During a Septic Emergency?
A sewage backup, overflowing tank or wastewater surfacing in the yard requires prompt professional attention.
If you believe you are experiencing a septic emergency:
- Stop using water inside the home. Do not run faucets, flush toilets, use appliances or take showers.
- Keep children and pets away from sewage or standing wastewater.
- Avoid contact with contaminated water.
- Do not open the septic tank or attempt to pump or repair it yourself.
- Contact a septic professional as soon as possible.
Warning signs that may require immediate attention include:
- Sewage backing up into sinks, toilets, showers or tubs
- Wastewater overflowing from the septic tank
- Strong sewage odors inside the home
- Standing wastewater near the tank or drain field
- Several drains suddenly becoming slow
- Gurgling throughout the plumbing system
- A septic alarm that remains active
One slow sink may be caused by a localized plumbing clog that requires professional drain cleaning. However, problems affecting several fixtures at once may indicate a larger septic or sewer issue.
JT Services offers 24/7 emergency septic service in Claremore, Tulsa and surrounding Northeast Oklahoma communities. Fast action can help limit exposure to wastewater and reduce additional property damage.
There Are No Embarrassing Septic Questions
Most homeowners do not think about their septic system until something changes. Asking questions and understanding the warning signs can help you make better decisions about maintenance, pumping and repairs.
JT Services has served Claremore and surrounding communities since 2011. Our licensed team works on conventional septic systems, aerobic septic systems and alternative systems and provides pumping, inspections, repairs, emergency service, and complete system installation.
Explore our complete septic services or schedule septic service online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it normal for a septic system to smell?
A properly functioning septic system should not produce persistent sewage odors inside your home or throughout your yard. Some temporary odor may occur while the tank is being pumped. Ongoing odors should be professionally investigated.
Do septic tank additives replace pumping?
No. Additives do not remove the sludge and scum that accumulate inside a septic tank and should not be considered a substitute for professional pumping or maintenance.
Can heavy rain affect a septic system?
Yes. Heavy rain can saturate the soil around the drain field, making it more difficult for wastewater to disperse. Reduce water use during periods of heavy rain and contact a professional if you notice standing water, slow drains or sewage odors.
How do I know where my septic tank is located?
Property records, system diagrams or previous maintenance paperwork may show the tank’s location. A septic professional can also help locate the tank without relying on potentially damaging guesswork.
Can I drive over my septic tank or drain field?
No. Vehicles and heavy equipment can compact the soil or damage the tank, pipes and other underground components. Keep the entire septic area clear of vehicle traffic.
Does JT Services work on aerobic septic systems?
Yes. JT Services services, repairs and installs conventional, aerobic and alternative septic systems throughout Claremore and surrounding Northeast Oklahoma communities.
