How to Maintain Your Septic System During a Home Remodel

How to Maintain Your Septic System During a Home Remodel

Remodeling your home can be exciting and stressful. If your home has a septic system, you need to take some essential steps during the remodel to keep it in good condition. A little attention now can help you avoid major septic tank repairs later.

1. Know Where Your Septic System Is Located

Knowing where your septic tank and drain field are is important before starting any major work around your home. Remodeling projects like building a deck, adding a new room, or digging for landscaping can easily damage your septic system if you’re not careful. Heavy equipment, materials, and foot traffic can also affect the ground around the tank or drain field.

One simple step is to mark the area where your septic system is so anyone working on the project knows to avoid it. If you’re unsure where your septic system is, you can ask a company to help you find it.

2. Limit Heavy Equipment on Your Lawn

Remodeling often involves using heavy machinery, like backhoes or trucks, which can damage the ground over your septic system. The pressure from these machines can cause cracks in the septic tank or compact the soil over the drain field, making it harder for wastewater to filter through the ground.

Ensure no heavy equipment is driven over your septic system to prevent damage. Talk with your contractor about the location of your septic tank so they can plan accordingly. Set up a temporary path for heavy vehicles to avoid the septic area altogether.

3. Keep Extra Water Use in Check

During a home remodel, using more water than usual is easy. Whether you’re running more laundry, using extra water for cleaning, or taking more frequent showers, all that extra water has to go somewhere—and that is your septic system.

Your septic system is designed to handle a certain amount of water daily. Increasing water use during a remodel can suddenly overwhelm the system and lead to backups or other issues. To avoid problems, try to spread your water use throughout the day instead of doing everything simultaneously.

4. Schedule a Septic Tank Inspection

One of the best ways to protect your septic system during a remodel is to schedule an inspection. If you haven’t had your septic tank pumped in a while, this is also an excellent time to do so. Septic tank pumping removes the solid waste that builds up in the tank over time, preventing blockages and backups.

5. Watch for Signs of Septic Trouble

Even if your septic system works fine, a home remodel can cause problems.

• Slow drains or toilets that are slow to flush
• Gurgling sounds in your plumbing
• Water pooling in your yard near the septic tank or drain field
• Foul odors inside or outside your home

If you notice any of these issues, acting quickly is essential. Contact a professional for septic tank repair immediately to prevent more severe damage.

6. Plan for Future Needs

A home remodel is the perfect time to think about the future needs of your septic system. If you’re adding more bathrooms or expanding your home, your current system might be unable to handle the increased load. In this case, you may need to upgrade your septic system with a larger tank or more advanced technology.

Consulting with a septic company during the planning phase of your remodel can help you decide if you need a new septic tank installation. Taking care of these upgrades during your remodel can save you from costly repairs.

7. Protect Your Drain Field

Your drain field is an essential part of your septic system. It filters the wastewater from your tank before it is absorbed into the ground. Ensuring the drain field isn’t damaged during a remodel is essential.

Keep heavy machinery, piles of building materials, and foot traffic away from the drain field. If you’re planning landscaping as part of your remodel, avoid planting trees or shrubs with large root systems near the drain field, as roots can invade and clog the pipes.

If you’re unsure how to protect your drain field, ask a septic company for guidance.

8. Work With Septic Professionals

While there are many things you can do on your own to protect your septic system during a remodel, it’s always a good idea to work with professionals. Whether you need a routine septic tank cleaning or a complete installation, working with a reputable septic professional ensures your system is in good hands.

Metro Septic Pumping

Maintaining your septic system during a home remodel might not be the first thing on your mind, but it’s essential to protecting your home. Metro Septic Pumping can help you maintain your system in excellent shape by properly situating it, restricting water use, and avoiding damage.