Living in a rural home is often thought of as being carefree, surrounded by grassy lawns with the scent of flowers on the breeze. But if a rural home's septic system is not properly managed, the grassy lawns can quickly become a sodden mess and the only scent wafting on the breeze will definitely not be from flowers.

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If you’re considering moving to the country, there are a few things you need to know about rural septic systems.

Make Purchase Offers Contingent Upon a Septic Inspection

In order to make sure the current septic system in the home you are buying is in good condition, buyers should always include a professional septic inspection contingency in their purchase offer. This contingency clause will ensure that the current system is located, diagrammed and inspected. The inspection will guarantee that the septic system is functioning properly and meets all existing state and local regulations.

Choose Periodic Pumping to Avoid Overloads

If your family has several members, or the home has recently been occupied by several occupants, it may be a good idea to have the septic tank pumped as soon as you assume ownership. Pumping the tank will help to ensure that the septic tank will be able to handle the amount of water and waste your household creates without overfilling the tank or taxing the drain field.

Your septic tank pumping service professional can help you determine a regular schedule for pumping that will help to maximize the efficiency and lifespan of your system. In most cases, tanks should be pumped whenever solid waste has filled half of the tank or the waste layer is one foot from the outlet tee of the tank.

Families who host large events at their homes, such as family reunions or other celebrations may want to consider having their septic tank pumped afterward, especially if their tank has a capacity of 750 gallons or less.

Educate Household Members and Guests About Proper Waste Disposal

When correctly installed and properly maintained, rural septic systems can provide decades of dependable service with no monthly municipal sewer fees. But misuse can cause even the most reliable system to malfunction.

To reduce the chances of misuse, household members and guests should be educated about the workings of the septic tank and how to use it properly. This includes making sure that all household members and guests know that flushing anything down a toilet, other than toilet paper, can cause a sewage clog.

Also, household guests should refrain from depositing milk, dairy products, food or greasy or oily substances into the sink drains or toilets of the home. Household guests should also refrain from flushing soil, kitty litter or sand.

To help family members and guests abide by these rules, remember to place a convenient trash can near each toilet and sink.

In addition to putting foreign materials into toilets and drains, strong household chemicals, such as large amounts of bleach and other harsh cleaning compounds can slow or stop healthy bacterial action within the septic tank.

The action of these bacterial colonies is necessary to break down solid waste. These colonies help keep the tank functioning well. To keep your tank's bacterial colony thriving, you may want to consider switching to gentler, more natural cleaning compounds, such as lemon juice, vinegar or baking soda.

For more information about caring for your rural home's septic system or to schedule a pump or emergency service, contact Upstate Septic Tank, LLC. In addition to pumping services, the professional team at Upstate Septic Tank, LLC is also pleased to offer grease trap cleaning, car wash pit servicing, and portable toilet rentals throughout the Greenville, Spartanburg and Anderson areas.