Care and Maintenance

Caring for your septic system

A septic system is your home’s private wastewater treatment system. With basic care, it can work well for decades. Poor maintenance can lead to backups, odors, wet spots in the yard, and expensive repairs.

Know the basic parts

Septic tank: holds wastewater so solids can settle and grease can float.
Drainfield (leach field): releases liquid from the tank into the soil for final treatment.
Soil: does a lot of the “cleaning” work—protecting groundwater and nearby waterways.

The biggest rule: pump your tank regularly

Even a well-used tank slowly fills with solids. If it isn’t pumped, solids can clog the drainfield.

General guidance

Most households should pump every 3–5 years.
You may need pumping more often if you have:
- A garbage disposal
- A large household
- Frequent guests / high water use
- An older or small tank

Tip: Ask your septic pumper to assess the tank's condition and recommend your next pump-out date.

Water use: slow down and spread out

Too much water in a short time can push solids into the drainfield.

Fix leaking toilets and faucets right away.
Run laundry loads throughout the week, not all in one day.
Use water-saving fixtures if possible.

Avoid

Long back-to-back showers, multiple loads of laundry, and dishwasher use all at once (especially after guests).

Only flush “the 3 Ps”

Pee, poop, and (toilet) paper. That’s it.

Never flush

“Flushable” wipes (they’re not septic-friendly)
Paper towels, tissues, feminine products
Cat litter
Dental floss, cotton swabs
Medications or chemicals

These items can clog your system or harm the helpful bacteria in the tank.

Protect your drainfield

Your drainfield needs air and open soil.

Keep the drainfield area clear and easy to access.
Direct roof gutters and sump pumps away from the drainfield.
Plant grass over the drainfield (best option).

Don’t

Drive, park, or place sheds/hot tubs on the drainfield (it can crush pipes and compact soil).
Plant trees or shrubs nearby—roots can damage pipes.
Put in a patio, fill soil, or heavy landscaping over it.

Be careful with what goes down the drain

Your tank relies on bacteria to break down waste.

Use septic-friendly habits

Use cleaning products in normal household amounts.
Choose liquid laundry detergent if you can.
Scrape food into the trash instead of rinsing large amounts down the sink.

Avoid dumping

Fats, oils, grease (FOG)
Paint, solvents, harsh drain cleaners
Large amounts of bleach or disinfectant at once

Skip septic additives
Most “septic booster” products aren’t necessary if you pump regularly and use your system properly.

Watch for warning signs

Call a licensed septic professional if you notice:

Slow drains or gurgling plumbing
Sewage odor inside or outside
Wet/mushy spots or unusually green grass over the drainfield
Sewage backups
Alarm sounding (if you have a pump system)

Don’t ignore symptoms. Early fixes are usually much cheaper.

Helpful seasonal tips for New Hampshire

Winter: Avoid plowing snow deep down to bare ground over the tank/drainfield—snow helps insulate. If you’ve had freeze-ups before, talk with a septic pro about insulation options.
Spring thaw: Keep vehicles off soggy drainfield areas—compaction during wet seasons is a common cause of failures.