Septic Tank Clean Out Day!
By CarolDM
@CarolDM (203454)
Nashville, Tennessee
February 22, 2019 10:44am CST
Today is the day to have the septic tanked cleaned out. Woo-hoo! We have lived i this house for eleven years now. The original owners lived here less than one year. The tank has never been cleaned. It is recommended to do this every five years.
I have learned some things you all may be interested in knowing.
Pixabay photo.
If you have a septic tank, it is recommenced NOT to use a garbage disposal. If you have one installed, only use it sparingly. It can clog the drain field. Roots of trees nearby can clog the drain line. Make sure there are no big trees planted near the tank.
Of course there are many things we should not flush: sanitary napkins, q-tips, dental floss, diapers, cigarette butts, kleenex, household chemicals, bleach, and grease.
Just found out ours was right at the top, could have been disastrous if we had waited. Can you imagine it overflowing in the middle of the night or any time!
Now you know what not to do if you have a septic tank. Did you learn anything? Do you have a septic tank?
16 people like this
17 responses
@allknowing (130066)
• India
23 Feb 19
We have had issues with the clogged tank all because of a tree that had sent its root there. We had to cut down that tree.
2 people like this
@Juliaacv (48391)
• Canada
22 Feb 19
We lived in our last home for about 21 years.
It had a septic tank.
We moved into that home when it was about 15 years old and the tank had not ever been cleaned out. The previous owners were a family of 6, so they must have added quite a bit to that tank.
I used to put a package of yeast down the toilet every month, and I think that helped it from filling up.
Of course about 6 or 7 years before we sold our home, we had to hook up to the septic sewer system that they put in. We had to have our tank decommissioned and back filled.
2 people like this
@cindiowens (5120)
• North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
22 Feb 19
We are on a city system but my mom and dad had tree roots growing through and clogging their septic tank.
2 people like this
@Courtlynn (66921)
• United States
22 Feb 19
I don't know when ours was last cleaned, but they (we live in an apartment complex) normally have them done in the summer, when its so hot and gross, which makes the smell 10x worse. 
1 person likes this
@Courtlynn (66921)
• United States
22 Feb 19
@CarolDM I would honestly probably forget to do it if it was up to us to do it.
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203454)
• Nashville, Tennessee
22 Feb 19
@Courtlynn We keep reminders on our calendars for such things to be done.
1 person likes this
@Hate2Iron (15730)
• Canada
22 Feb 19
Our last house in Manitoba had one and we were told to have it cleaned out each year. We didn't know any better so that's what we did!! No septic tank with the new house though!!
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (95079)
• Marion, Ohio
22 Feb 19
We have one and should get it emptied out soon also.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (95079)
• Marion, Ohio
22 Feb 19
@CarolDM No, especially since it is in my front yard.
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (79676)
• United States
22 Feb 19
I don't have a septic tank but I still don't flush any of that stuff anyway.
You certainly are lucky your tank didn't overflow
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109857)
• Los Angeles, California
22 Feb 19
That job certainly stinks.
1 person likes this
@LowRiderX (22907)
• Serbia
22 Feb 19
I don't have a septic tank,I live in a building 
Well, somebody has to do it
Well, somebody has to do it1 person likes this
@shaggin (71664)
• United States
23 Feb 19
Oh yikes I had no idea they should be emptied every 5 years! My boyfriend has been at his trailer he rents for about 3 years now. I wonder when it was emptied last. I am so glad I have town sewer.
@Montecristodog (787)
• United States
23 Feb 19
Great piece of information. I do have a septic tank. Will look into doing that soon. Thanks for sharing.
