THE SIZE OF THE SEPTIC TANK IS NOT DETERMINED BY THE SQUARE FOOTAGE OF YOUR HOUSE

Contrary to common belief, the size of the Septic tank pump out is not determined by the square footage of the house. When determining the size of the septic system to install on a property, the most important determining factor is the number of bedrooms the house has. The number of bedrooms is a more accurate parameter for determining the maximum occupancy of a house and it will help the septic system designer to know the best size of the tank for the house. For instance, in Alberta, the assumption is each bedroom in a duplex will have an occupancy of 2 people. The maximum occupancy is used in the determination of peak daily flow rate and that is used in the determination of the size of the septic tank. The following are the recommended septic sizes as per the number of bedrooms in a house.

SEPTIC SYSTEMS WILL NOT LAST FOREVER

Septic tanks do not last forever. A well designed, installed and maintained septic tank will last for at least 30 years. With proper care and maintenance, the septic tank can last even longer than this. This is one of the reasons why septic system owners have to be careful not to use products that are harmful to the septic system. However, all septic tanks will eventually need to be replaced. This is an important piece of information to have when buying a house. Knowing the age of the septic tank will give you a rough idea of how long you can use the septic tank before you have to replace it.

YOU CAN EARN A REBATE BY MAINTAINING YOUR SEPTIC TANK REGULARLY

If you live in Canada, the government can offer you rebates if you take steps at making your septic system more efficient. For instance, you can earn rebates if you replace your older toilets with newer ones that use less water. Making such adjustments on your property may sound expensive but they can eventually save you a lot of money. Apart from the rebates from the government, you will save on your utility bills and the septic tank will not fill up as fast.

A SEPTIC TANK CAN STILL BE PUMPED IN WINTER

The septic tank can be pumped all year round irrespective of the temperature. So, if your septic tank is due for pumping in the middle of winter, don’t hold it off. The only time it might not be possible to continue with the pumping is when there is heavy snowfall or if there is a heavy blizzard moving through your neighborhood. But once the snow stops, the pumping can be done. However, you should know where the septic tank is located on your property and it should be accessible to the truck that will be used in pumping.

BIOLOGICAL ADDITIVES CAN PROLONG THE LIFE OF THE SEPTIC SYSTEM

Even though septic tanks have an average lifespan of 30 years, this period can either be longer or shorter depending on usage and maintenance. The septic tank relies on bacteria to digest organic waste and keep the bacteria healthy is one way of ensuring the longevity of the system. This is why it is advisable to use biological additives. Some of the additives (chemical additives) are harmful to the system because of their toxicity. The toxic substances can alter the pH in the septic tank and this can either inhibit the bacteria or even kill them. However, biological additives are made from enzymes and bacteria and are therefore a better option. They do not pose any risk to the microorganisms and this is why they are a better choice for septic systems.