Septic System Maintenance Guide for Palm Bay & Brevard County Homeowners

A septic system works quietly until it does not. This guide covers the basics every Palm Bay and Brevard County homeowner on septic should know: how the system works, what affects how often the tank needs attention, which warning signs to watch for, and how to protect the drain field. Palm Bay Septic Pumping connects homeowners with local septic pros, and this page is general education, not a diagnosis of your system.

How a Conventional Septic System Works

A typical septic system has two main parts: a septic tank and a drain field (also called a soil absorption field). The tank is a buried, watertight container that holds household wastewater long enough for solids to settle to the bottom as sludge while oil and grease float to the top as scum. A T-shaped outlet and internal compartments help keep sludge and scum from leaving the tank and traveling into the drain field.

The liquid in the middle, called effluent, flows out to the drain field, where it moves through piping into the soil. The soil accepts, treats, and disperses the wastewater as it percolates down. If the drain field receives too much liquid, it can flood, which can cause sewage to surface in the yard or back up into toilets and sinks.

Source: U.S. EPA – How Septic Systems Work

How Aerobic (ATU) Systems Are Different

An aerobic treatment unit, or ATU, uses many of the same processes as a municipal sewage plant on a smaller scale. EPA describes it as injecting oxygen into the treatment tank, which increases natural bacterial activity and provides additional treatment.

Because ATUs rely on mechanical and electrical parts, they depend on regular upkeep. EPA states that regular lifetime maintenance should be expected for ATUs, and that alternative systems with pumps, float switches, or mechanical components should generally be inspected about once a year, with a service contract being important. If your home has an ATU, see our page on aerobic (ATU) system service to request a connection with a local pro who works with these units.

Source: U.S. EPA – Types of Septic Systems

Source: U.S. EPA – How to Care for Your Septic System

What Affects How Often a Tank Needs Pumping

There is no single schedule that fits every home. EPA suggests that, in general, a septic tank be inspected every one to three years and pumped every three to five years, while stressing that the right frequency depends on the system. The factors EPA lists include:

• Household size. More people generally means more wastewater and more solids.
• Total wastewater generated. Heavy water use, leaky fixtures, and running toilets all add to the load.
• Volume of solids in the wastewater. Food waste and other solids build up as sludge and scum.
• Septic tank size.

A garbage disposal also matters. EPA says that using one can change how often you need to pump, and that if you use a disposal your tank will need to be pumped more frequently. EPA also describes the technical test a local pro uses: a tank should be pumped if more than 25 percent of the liquid depth is sludge and scum. When you are ready, you can request a connection with a local pro for septic pumping.

Source: U.S. EPA – How to Care for Your Septic System

Source: U.S. EPA – Why Maintain Your Septic System

Warning Signs to Take Seriously

EPA lists several common signs of a failing septic system. Any of these is a good reason to contact a local pro:

• Water or sewage backing up from toilets, drains, or sinks
• Tubs, showers, and sinks draining very slowly
• Gurgling sounds in the plumbing
• Standing water or damp spots near or over the tank or drain field
• Sewage odors around the tank or drain field
• Bright green, spongy, lush grass over the tank or drain field, even in dry weather

EPA also notes that odors do not always mean the system is failing; a clogged roof vent or other vent pipe can be a cause. That is why it helps to have a local pro look at the actual system. If sewage has backed up into your home, EPA advises avoiding contact with it and contacting your local health department for guidance. For repair needs, see septic repair.

Source: U.S. EPA – Resolving Septic System Malfunctions

What Not to Flush or Pour Down the Drain

Everything that goes down a drain ends up in the septic system, where living organisms help treat the waste. EPA's rule of thumb is to flush nothing but human waste and toilet paper. EPA lists these as items to never flush:

• Cooking grease or oil
• Non-flushable wipes, including baby wipes
• Feminine hygiene products, diapers, dental floss, cigarette butts, coffee grounds, cat litter, and paper towels
• Pharmaceuticals
• Household chemicals such as gasoline, oil, pesticides, antifreeze, paint, and paint thinner

At the sink, EPA recommends avoiding chemical drain openers (boiling water or a drain snake are the alternatives it gives), never pouring grease down the drain, and not pouring solvents, oil-based paints, or large volumes of toxic cleaners down the drain. For a longer list of everyday habits to change, read our post on common septic system mistakes.

Source: U.S. EPA – How to Care for Your Septic System

Drain-Field Care

The drain field is the part of the system that treats the liquid leaving the tank, and it is easy to damage without realizing it. EPA's guidance:

• Traffic. Do not park or drive on the drain field. Vehicles and heavy equipment compact the soil, which can damage pipes.
• Planting. Keep trees the appropriate distance away so roots do not grow into the system, and avoid trees, shrubs, and vegetable gardens on the drain field. Native grasses and ground covers are the most appropriate cover.
• Hard surfaces. Do not lay concrete or asphalt over it, and do not build structures on it without checking with a local designer or permitting authority.
• Drainage. Keep roof drains, sump pumps, and other rainwater drainage away from the drain field. Excess water slows or stops the treatment process.
• Water use. Spread laundry across the week rather than doing it all in one day, and fix leaky or running toilets. EPA notes that one running toilet can add up to 200 gallons of water per day.

Brevard County gets heavy seasonal rain, and our seasonal septic tips for the Space Coast post covers how that affects a system through the year. If you suspect drain-field trouble, see drain field repair.

Source: U.S. EPA – How to Care for Your Septic System

When an Inspection or Flow Test Makes Sense

Besides routine checkups, there are a few situations where having a local pro look at the system is worth considering:

• Buying or selling a home. EPA notes that an unusable or poorly maintained septic system can lower property value. An inspection gives both sides a clearer picture of the system's condition. Requirements can differ by property and transaction, so ask your agent or the local pro what applies to you.
• After flooding or heavy storms. EPA says most tanks are not damaged by flooding, but tanks and pump chambers can fill with silt and debris, and that you should have the system inspected and serviced by a trained pro if you suspect damage. EPA also advises against pumping while the drain field is flooded or saturated.
• When you notice symptoms. Slow drains, odors, or wet spots in the yard are all reasons to schedule an evaluation.
• When the history is unknown. If you do not know when the system was last serviced, a baseline inspection can help you plan.

A flow test (sometimes called a hydraulic load test) is one way a pro can look at how the drain field handles water. What is included varies, so ask the pro to explain exactly what they check. To get started, visit septic inspection and request a connection with a local pro.

Source: U.S. EPA – Why Maintain Your Septic System

Source: U.S. EPA – Septic Systems - What to Do after the Flood

Simple Septic Maintenance Checklist

• Have the system inspected on the schedule a local pro recommends for your system type (EPA suggests every one to three years for a typical household system, and more often for systems with mechanical parts).
• Have the tank pumped when needed. EPA suggests every three to five years as a general interval, adjusted to your household and tank.
• Keep records of every inspection and pump-out, including sludge and scum measurements.
• Spread out laundry and repair leaks.
• Flush only human waste and toilet paper; keep grease, wipes, chemicals, and medications out of the drains.
• If you have an ATU, keep any service agreement current and make sure the unit's power and alarms are checked.

Source: U.S. EPA – How to Care for Your Septic System

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should a septic tank be pumped?

EPA says household septic tanks are typically pumped every three to five years, and that the right interval depends on tank size, household size, water use habits, whether a garbage disposal is used, and how many solids have built up. A local pro can check the sludge and scum levels in your tank and recommend a schedule for your system.

Do aerobic (ATU) systems need different care than conventional systems?

Generally, yes. EPA notes that alternative systems with electrical float switches, pumps, or mechanical components should be inspected more often, generally once a year, and that a service contract is important because these systems have mechanized parts. Ask the local pro what your specific unit needs.

What are common signs that something is wrong with a septic system?

EPA lists sewage backups, very slow drains, gurgling plumbing, damp spots or odors near the tank or drain field, and unusually lush green grass over them. These signs can have several causes, so a local pro should confirm what is going on.

Does a garbage disposal affect how often I need pumping?

According to EPA, yes. Food waste can accumulate as scum and sludge in the tank, and EPA says that if you use a garbage disposal your tank will need to be pumped more frequently. Limiting or eliminating disposal use reduces the solids entering the tank.

Should I pump my tank right after a flood?

Not necessarily right away. EPA advises against pumping the tank while the drain field is flooded or saturated, because at best it is a temporary fix and at worst it can damage the tank and its pipes.

When does an inspection or flow test make sense?

Common times include before buying or selling a home, after flooding or heavy storms, when you notice warning signs, or when you do not know the system's service history. Ask the local pro what an inspection or flow test covers for your type of system, since what is included can vary.