Taking care of a septic system is not an easy job. However, it is an important one. If you fail to care for and maintain your septic system properly, you may find that your tank has leaked or overflowed. When this happens, you can have septic waste all across your yard or even flooding into your basement. 

Unfortunately, there are many myths out there related to septic tanks, septic tank pumping and septic tank cleaning. Learning about these myths can help ensure you don't believe them, helping you to care for your tank properly. Here are a few common myths and the truth surrounding them. 

You Don't Need to Pump if You Add Enzymes to Your Tank 

One of the biggest myths out there is that if you add enzymes or bacteria to your septic tank, you don't need to have it pumped. Enzymes and bacteria do eat the waste in your tank, reducing how full it is and reducing how frequently you may need to have your system pumped. However, they do not eliminate the need for pumping altogether. As such, never assume that you can forego having your septic system pumped and cleaned just because you use enzymes and live bacteria. 

Everyone Needs Their Tanks Pumped at the Same Intervals

Another common myth is that everyone needs their septic tanks pumped at the same intervals. For example, you may think everyone needs their tanks pumped once every three years. However, there are many factors that affect how frequently your tank needs to be pumped, including the number of people that live in your household, the size of your home, the size of the tank, and the products that you send into the tank. A septic tank pumping company can help you determine the frequency at which your tank needs to be pumped and cleaned based on these factors. 

Maintaining a Septic Tank is More Expensive Than Replacing It

The last myth that is common is that maintaining a septic tank is more expensive than replacing it. As such, some people don't maintain their tank because they think it will be cheaper to replace it if it fails. Maintaining a septic tank is not a cheap process. However, replacing a tank is flat out expensive. You have to excavate to remove the old tank, pay for a new tank and have the new tank installed. It costs significantly more money to replace the tank than to properly maintain your tank. 

A residential septic tank cleaning company can help you to determine how often your tank needs to be pumped, what steps you can take to reduce the frequency between cleanings and how to maintain your tank, so you don't have to replace it prematurely. Contact a septic tank pumping and cleaning company today to schedule a consultation and find out what needs your septic system currently has.