Your septic tank is the unsung hero of your home's plumbing system, operating tirelessly in the background to keep everything running smoothly. Most homeowners don't give their septic tank a lot of thought, usually because it's buried underground and out of sight.

However, every septic system needs a few important reinforcements to stay at peak performance for longer. A neglected septic tank can lead to unpleasant odors, backups, or even severe structural damage. This blog post explores three ingenious ways to bolster your septic tank to ensure it serves you well for many years.

1. Install a Riser System

Installing a riser system on your septic tank is a smart move, as it significantly eases the process of maintenance and inspection. Essentially, a riser is a tube that connects your septic tank to the ground's surface, providing direct access to your tank without the need for excavation.

This ensures routine services like pumping, inspection, and repairs are less invasive and time-consuming. The riser helps prevent potential damages during digging, reduces the overall cost of septic tank maintenance, and minimizes the potential disruptions to your lawn.

More importantly, a riser system enhances the safety of your septic system. Without a riser, the tank's lid will sit directly underground, which can be dangerous if it's not properly secured or if the ground above it erodes over time.

The riser system, in contrast, provides a secure, locked cover at ground level, protecting your family and pets from accidental falls into the tank. It also helps preserve the tank's structural integrity by shielding it from extreme weather conditions like heavy rainfall or freezing temperatures.

Besides that, a riser system makes emergency services quicker and more effective, which is crucial when your septic tank encounters sudden issues.

2. Add an Effluent Filter

Adding an effluent filter to your septic tank is a crucial reinforcement tactic that substantially improves the effectiveness and longevity of your system. Installed in the tank's outlet tee, this filter prevents solids from entering the drain field. Without an effluent filter, larger solids can easily pass into the drainfield, compromise the soil absorption process, and cause the entire septic system to fail.

The drainfield's job is to distribute the effluent (wastewater) from your septic tank into the soil, where it can be naturally filtered and treated. However, when solids enter the drainfield, they clog the pipes and create a biomat layer, which prevents proper drainage and leads to backups or even system failure.

In addition to enhancing the overall efficiency of your septic system, an effluent filter also offers increased environmental protection. By filtering out larger solids, the filter ensures that the effluent that reaches the drain field is of acceptable quality, minimizing the risk of contaminating nearby groundwater resources.

3. Install a Septic Tank Alarm

A septic tank alarm is a valuable addition that can significantly improve the safety and efficiency of your underground septic system. This safety feature is designed to alert you when the water level in the septic tank is unusually high, which often indicates a problem with the effluent's outflow.

Be it a blocked outlet pipe, a malfunctioning pump, or an overfilled tank, any abnormality that prevents the effluent from leaving the tank as expected can pose serious threats to the system's functionality and longevity. Without a septic tank alarm, such issues might go unnoticed longer than they should.

The alarm needs to be in an easily accessible area, such as the basement or near the tank's riser. If the water level in your septic tank rises above a certain point, the alarm will sound off to notify you of the issue. Some alarms even come equipped with WiFi capabilities, allowing for remote monitoring and alerts sent directly to your phone.

Bowen's Septic Tank is dedicated to providing reliable, efficient, and affordable septic tank solutions. We offer professional installation of riser systems, effluent filters, and septic tank alarms to reinforce your septic system's performance. Don't wait until it's too late—contact us today to ensure your septic system is well-prepared to handle any challenges that come your way.