Some homeowners, especially those who live in rural areas, may prize self-sufficiency and prefer to DIY any repairs and maintenance around the home. However, even if you're experienced in plumbing issues and know all about how septic systems work, you really need a professional for septic system care for both maintenance and repairs.

Discover three reasons why.

1. Septic Systems Live Underground

Some home systems are relatively easy to diagnose when they exhibit common symptoms. But the septic system isn't that straightforward. Septic systems are often difficult to diagnose, because common symptoms could mean several different things and because septic systems are almost impossible to access.

Most parts of the septic system require you to dig if you want to access them. The distribution box, main sewer line, leach field lines, and pipes that connect the leach field to the septic tank are all underground. This makes inspection of each component very difficult or even impossible for a typical homeowner.

Because the components are so difficult to access, you may be tempted to start with septic treatments such as enzymes or bacterial supplements. However, in many cases, these treatments are of no use at all. You could end up right back where you started, except perhaps with more sewage backed up into your home.

2. Septic Tanks Contain Hazardous Gases and Other Biohazards

The septic tank is often the easiest part of the system to access. Although older tanks had heavy lids typically beneath the ground, modern tanks often include a riser to bring the lid up to ground level and ensure easier access. The tank is the most frequently accessed part (since it needs pumping every few years), so logistically this makes sense.

However, just because your septic tank is the easiest component to access doesn't mean that you should access it when trying to diagnose a problem. This is another area where septic tanks are trickier than other home systems. Above all, you should never actually enter the septic tank under any circumstances, because it could literally kill you.

Septic tanks are full of deadly gases that could suffocate you before you realize it. Hydrogen sulfide gas and methane are typically present in high concentrations. Even removing the septic tank lid to take a look isn't necessarily safe. You could possibly just open the lid, look inside the septic tank, and get woozy from the gases.

Your tank is full of other biohazards as well. Bacteria, fungi, nematodes, rotifers, protozoa, and other microscopic creepy crawlies thrive in there. This is technically a good thing, since your septic system needs the microflora in order to process your wastewater well. But if you come in contact with them, these creepy crawlies could threaten your health.

3. Septic Repairs Typically Require Specialized Equipment

Even septic system contractors would have difficulty caring for septic systems if they didn't have so much specialized equipment. For sewer line inspections, contractors typically use small video cameras to show them what's going on. This can help them diagnose a clog, tree root problem, or collapsed sewer line.

If tree roots are at issue, a hydro-jetting procedure may be in order. Hydro-jetting requires specialized equipment as well. And other septic system repair procedures (such as injecting air into a flooded leach field) may require machines of their own. As a homeowner, to buy or rent these types of equipment for your personal use is unlikely to be cost-effective.

These are just three of the reasons why choosing a septic maintenance professional is a superior option to a DIY job. For more information on how we can help you and your septic system with any needed maintenance, repairs, or inspections, get in touch with Upstate Septic Tank, LLC, today.