A septic system consists of two primary components: a septic tank and a drain field. The septic tank, which is buried underground, contains the accumulated solids from your household’s wastewater. With proper maintenance, a septic tank can often last for decades. Once wastewater exits the septic tank, it moves on to the drain field portion of the system. If this area becomes inundated with wastewater or outside liquid, it can cause a sewage backup.

Whatever goes down your drain ends up in your septic tank, including food scraps, so-called “flushable” wipes and other hygiene products. If you have a septic system, it’s essential to pay close attention to what items you are putting down the drain. Good rules of thumb include not treating your garbage disposal like a wastebasket, and only flushing toilet paper and human waste down the toilet. The more proactive you are in caring for and maintaining your septic system, the longer that septic system will last. The overarching goal of septic maintenance is to prevent the accumulation of solids, as well as any groundwater contamination. If you have a septic tank, the most significant component of proactive maintenance should be getting it inspected and pumped out regularly. Since the intervals of pumping vary by household, a professional plumbing technician from Freedom Plumbers can tell you how often you should get your system pumped out to prevent a premature breakdown.

For obvious reasons, you don’t want sewage backing up into your home. However, this scenario is an inevitable consequence of failing to maintain your septic system. If you do experience a backup, make sure you and your family stay well away from the sewage, as contacting raw sewage can expose you to harmful bacteria. Instead of trying to clean it up yourself, call a professional team to handle the mess. Afterward, be sure to deep-clean and disinfect any belongings that came in contact with the sewage.

If you have a septic system at your home in Baltimore, Washington, D.C. or Fairfax, Virginia, contact your leading plumbing service at Freedom Plumbers as soon as possible. As a locally owned plumbing company, we provide free estimates, emergency service, financing, and honest pricing with no hidden fees. We are one of the most reliable plumbing providers in our service area, so call us today for service you can rely on.