A failing septic system can be a road to catastrophe. While generally speaking, living with a septic system doesn’t require a huge amount of thought and attention, there are some differences compared to living in a home that relies on a standard sewage system.
Whether you’re brand new to the world of septic systems or have lived with your on-site wastewater treatment system for years, keeping your septic system running smoothly is key to living in comfort here in Colorado’s high country. Discover more below.
Full Table of Contents
How Septic Systems Work
Caring for your Septic System
Septic System Maintenance
Selling a Home with a Septic System
Searching for Septic System Service?
How Septic Systems Work
Those who use the public sewer system likely don’t give much thought to what goes down the drain (though they certainly should), but a septic system is like a tiny, incredible ecosystem. And just like the ecosystems we can see, introducing the wrong substances can disrupt the way a septic system takes care of itself. Your septic system is eco-friendly and converts everything that enters the septic tank into liquid wastewater, naturally removing bacteria, and safely allowing this effluent to enter the water table. It’s an impressive—and relatively simple—concept.
Caring for Your Septic System
Septic systems have been compared to houseplants. For the most part, you leave them alone; taking care not to overwater or underwater them, and they don’t need much else to thrive. But like your favorite fern, there are a few things you should never pour into your septic system, and certain practices you should pay attention to to keep your septic system running efficiently. Your septic system is connected to all the pipes in your home, so you want to approach it with care. In addition to taking care with what materials you introduce to your system there are a few tips to keeping your septic system trouble-free:
Your septic system is particularly sensitive to these types of waste and you should take care to not introduce these items to your system.
More about caring for your septic system:
Be thoughtful about what you flush. There are a lot of “duh” items one should never flush (like paints, solvents, and chemicals) but one should take care to never flush or put the following items down the drain – especially if you have a septic system:
Diapers
Baby wipes
Feminine hygiene products
Dental Floss
Paper towels
Food grease or oils
Earplugs
Cat Litter
Septic System Maintenance
Over time, the aerobic and anaerobic bacteria your septic system uses to function break down all the waste that leaves your home and convert it into sludge. And while there are many projects around your home that are worth trying to DIY, this is a job best left to the professionals. Periodic service calls to clean out your tank and ensure your system’s pumps and filters are in proper working order is an investment in a reliable system. Depending upon the number of people in your household, you should have your system inspected yearly, and pumped about every two years. Work with a team of experts who is as committed to caring for your property as you are.
Selling a Home with a Septic System
In Colorado, a septic system pump-out and inspection is required prior to selling a home. A trained expert will pump out your tanks and inspect your system then provide an inspection report in order for you to complete your sale. A pump out and inspection is recommended regularly regardless of your desire to sell to catch system troubles before they become problems. If you are looking to sell your home (or commercial property) with a septic system, schedule a pump out and inspection today.
Searching for Septic Service?
Let us take care of your septic system so you can rest assured that your wastewater won’t be an issue. We approach each visit with meticulous attention to detail, leveraging our years of experience and industry training to keep your outflow working properly
High Performance Earthworks brings quality construction and maintenance to:
Boulder County
Gilpin County
Jefferson County
Clear Creek County
Larimer County
Lake County
Park County
And the entire Front Range region
You shouldn’t have to search high and low to find different people to repair, install, or maintain your septic system. Work with a dedicated team of professionals who are knowledgeable in septic systems and the surrounding environment. At High Performance Earthworks, we want you to love your septic system, and we’ll take care of it to ensure you do. Our team of experts can help with all phases of your system’s life including:
Pre-construction site planning and system engineering
Leach field and system excavation and installation
Ongoing maintenance and repair
Pump outs and inspections (including pre-sale inspections)
Service plans and warranties