Septic Superstitions explores septic myths, misconceptions, questionable fixes, and practical, better ways to care for your septic system.
“Never pump your septic—it takes care of itself.”
It’s worth approaching claims like this with caution.
Septic systems are pumped out for a number of reasons, including the removal of accumulated sludge (which includes inorganic material, think fleece, sand, etc.), observing internal tank components to ensure their integrity and condition, and identifying any repairs that may be needed. Best practice is to have your septic system pumped and/or inspected by a licensed contractor every three to five years.
Let’s back up for a moment.
It is important to fully understand how septic systems work. Septic systems are designed to recycle wastewater produced in your home, cottage or business back into the environment. A septic system functions on the principle of digestion of organic materials by bacteria. The two main components of the system are a septic tank and a leaching field (also called a tile bed).
In the septic tank (see diagram at right), bacteria metabolize solids, converting waste into mostly water, carbon dioxide, dead cell mass, and mineral ash.
Effluent flows out of the tank and into the leaching field/tile bed, where it percolates into the soil.
The more efficient the system operates, the less nutrient pollution goes into the environment. The more bacteriological activity in the septic tank, the better the treatment of the waste in the tank and the longer the life of your leach field/tile bed.
The takeaway
Your septic system does a remarkable job—but it doesn’t take care of everything on its own. A regular pump-out schedule, combined with bioaugmentation (adding targeted bacteria to the system), helps keep everything working as it should—now and over the long term.