Common Septic System Mistakes to Avoid
- David Warren
- October 1, 2025
Septic systems are important for those residential and commercial properties which are not connected to any public sewer line. Since a large number of Long Island’s homes and businesses are not connected to any public sewer line, they heavily rely on their private septic or cesspool systems for waste treatment. A proper maintenance and care of your septic or cesspool system is as important as it is for your property. The negligence not only leads to costly repairs but also decreases the life of your cesspool and septic systems. We cover common mistakes septic owners usually make in this blog and offer valuable tips to avoid them and prolong your systems life.
In This Article
1. Neglecting Regular Septic Tank Pumping
Normally septic tanks get filled up with sludge after a certain period of time. If this is not managed properly, it may cause blockages, backups and damage to the septic tank. One of the most common mistakes septic owners usually make is neglecting to pump their septic tank regularly. Regular Septic tank pumping is very essential to remove solids because these solids can clog the system and lead to failures. The normal period for a septic tank to get filled up is 3 to 5 years based on its usage. Therefore, you should pump your septic tank every 3 to 5 years, but this largely depends on the size of the tank and the number of people using it. Therefore, the septic tank pumping frequency may differ from system to system. Keep in mind that a single mistake during the pumping process may lead to a bigger problem in future, therefore make sure to schedule septic pumping with a professional septic service team near you.
2. Flushing Non-Biodegradable Items
Some people flush everything down the toilet which may seem convenient to dispose of, but you should keep in mind that certain items can clog the septic system. Septic tanks are specially designed to break down organic materials, but non-biodegradable items such as baby wipes, feminine hygiene products or paper towels can cause blockages in your system, which may lead to reduce the capacity of your septic tank and damage the structure causing costly repairs and entire system replacement in certain cases. To avoid this mistake, only flush septic-safe toilet paper and other biodegradable wastes. Consider placing a trash can in the bathroom for items that shouldn’t go down the toilet.
3. Excessive Use of Chemical Cleaners
Many people make the mistake of using harsh chemical cleaners to unclog pipes or clean their toilets. These products are deemed to be effective, but their excessive use may lead to damage your septic system. The reason is that, along with unclogging pipes and cleaning the toilets, these chemical cleaners kill beneficial bacteria which help break down waste in your septic system. Excessive use of this practice disturbs the natural balance and causes your septic tank to malfunction and damage. Therefore, use only septic-safe cleaners and other natural alternatives instead of using harsh chemical cleaners. If you have already used these chemicals, then contact Clear River Environmental and add eco-friendly bacteria killing chemicals to your septic tank to prolong its lifespan.
4. Overloading Your Septic System with Water
Some homeowners use excessive water which may lead to your septic system to fill up soon. If you use more water than the capacity of your system, it will cause the tank to overflow and damage the drain field. Therefore, it’s very important to conserve water usage by fixing leaks in plumbing systems, taking shorter showers and using water-efficient appliances. This will help prevent the system from becoming overworked. Replace your toilet and shower with water-saving toilet or low-flow showerheads to reduce your daily water usage and protect your septic system from premature filling.
5. Ignoring Signs of System Trouble
Another common mistake made by most of the septic owners is failing to recognize the early signs of septic system problems. Keep an eye on your entire septic system, if there is any gurgling sound in the plumping system, slow drains or foul odor near your drain field or your septic tank, then these are alarming you that your septic system might have some issues. Therefore, septic tank cleaning and septic system inspection on a regular basis are important and essential steps to ensure everything is functioning properly.
If you see any of these symptoms, you must contact a reliable local septic service provider for an inspection. Detecting problems early can save you money on repairs and prevent more significant damage from developing.
6. Skipping Professional Septic Inspections
Some septic owners attempt DIY maintenance. They may worsen the problem instead of solving it. Therefore, it’s essential to hire a professional expert for your septic system inspections. A professional Septic tank service provider will help you find potential issues which may not be visible to the ordinary untrained eye and may damage or destroy the entire septic system in future.
7. Not Knowing Your Septic Tank’s Location
Some people do not know where their septic tank is located. If your septic tank is full and you need to pump it or repair, knowing its location is very important. Without this knowledge, there is a great risk of damaging the tank or the drain field during landscaping or construction activities. Therefore, make sure to keep a record of your septic tank’s location. You can even have a septic tank riser installed for easier location in the future. If you don’t know the exact location of your septic or cesspool tank, call an electronic cesspool location expert to locate it.
Conclusion
Through avoiding these and other common mistakes and maintaining your system regularly, you’ll ensure it functions smoothly in the upcoming years. Whether it’s septic tank pumping, regular septic inspections, or simple habits like reducing water usage, these small steps can save you time, money, and prevent costly repairs. If you’re unsure about your septic system’s health, reach out to a trusted septic company near you for advice and service.
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David Warren, Vice President and one of the founding visionaries of Clear River Environmental, brings
deep expertise in environmental stewardship, residential services, and operational leadership. Since cofounding the company, he has been instrumental in guiding Clear River’s evolution from a local cesspool service to Long Island’s leading provider of plumbing, septic, and environmental solutions, completing over 25,000 installations to date.
