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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Backed-up septic system, what to do

Samantha Mazzotta King Features Syndicate

Q: My house is 11 years old and has a septic system. We have had the septic system pumped once since we have been here. One of my three toilets keeps stopping up, and I have to break out the plunger. It was happening so frequently that I began to get concerned. I found a product at the store called Rid-X and use it each month. We have had a lot of rain and snow this season. Is using an additive monthly my solution, or is it just masking a bigger problem? — Camilla from Owings, Md.

A: While a septic system additive can provide a nice “kicker” to get the bacterial process going, it can’t be relied upon exclusively. Septic systems should be checked once a year to make sure everything is working properly, and the tanks should be pumped out more frequently than most people think.

For example, a small 500-gallon septic tank serving a family of four needs to be pumped out once a year on average. If there are fewer people in the house, the tank should be pumped less frequently (every two years, say); if there are more than four people, the tank should be pumped more frequently (twice a year).

Why would it vary? Humans create a lot of waste, and the more people in a house, the more waste that’s produced. There’s no getting around it.

Fortunately, the septic system deals with things quite nicely. Bacteria in the holding tank actually digests wastes, creating three distinct layers: a top layer of crusty foam produced by the active bacteria; a bottom layer of thick sludge containing much of the wastes that have been digested by the active bacteria; and a middle layer of relatively clean (relative to the foam and sludge surrounding it) water.

This water passes through the septic tank’s baffles (sort of controlled inlet-outlet valves) and out to the septic field, which is usually under your lawn. The relatively clean water filters through the dirt and gravel beneath your lawn until it reaches the water table, completely clean.

As you can see, bacteria are a big deal in a septic system. You want them to thrive inside the tank, but you don’t want them to leach out into your garden or into the natural water supply. If the system isn’t maintained properly, both these problems could occur (in addition to the annoying frequency of toilet backups). Not pumping the tank at the right intervals can lead to a buildup of sludge, which blocks the entry/exit baffles (potentially causing backups and the leaching of sludge into the septic field).

Invest in a complete inspection of your septic system by a licensed contractor as soon as possible, get the tank pumped and have any repairs made. This will really reduce the frequency of those toilet backups, and you may not have to use an additive at all to keep things flowing nicely.