Do’s and Don’ts of Owning a Septic Tank
The short list that actually protects a residential tank in the western Chicago suburbs — not a 40-item brochure.
A septic tank is a buried vessel that settles solids so liquid can leave for the drainfield. Treat it like that and it lasts. Treat it like a city sewer and the field pays.
Do
- Pump on an interval. For most 1,000–1,500 gallon houses around here, start at every three to five years. Details: how often to pump.
- Know where the lids are. Risers help. Are risers worth it?
- Keep water use reasonable during a backup. Stop laundry, dishwasher, long showers until the tank is down.
- Call when drains are slow house-wide, or you smell sewage near the tank or field.
Don’t
- Flush wipes, feminine products, paper towels, or “flushable” anything. What not to flush.
- Pour fryer grease and heavy oils down the kitchen. FOG.
- Park or build over the field.
- Keep running water into a system that is already coming back up.
A garbage disposal is extra solids. If you have one, pump more often. Garbage disposals and tanks.
Need a pump-out on the calendar? Call 630-739-6907 or book online.