Guide · Home care
Septic System Basics
A friendly, practical guide to living with a septic system, from what can go down the drain to pumping, inspections and the warning signs worth sharing.
Where to start
- Drains backing up or smelling?
Cut back on water now. See if drains back up or smell.
- New to septic?
Work through the septic system checklist.
- Not sure what to watch for?
The short version
A septic system can work well for decades with a little care, and most septic trouble starts with small daily habits.
Flush only toilet paper and waste, keep grease and chemicals out of drains, and spread laundry across the week.
Protect the drainfield from cars, heavy items, trees and extra water. The EPA recommends inspection at least every three years and pumping typically every three to five.
If drains gurgle or back up, cut back on water, keep everyone away from sewage, and share it right away.
Septic rules differ from place to place, so we’d gently encourage a quick look at the rules where your home is. If you ever have questions, we would love to help.
Four simple rules
- 1Only toilet paper and waste
The toilet is not a trash can. Wipes, grease, medicines and chemicals all harm a septic system.
- 2Spread out the water
Spacing out laundry and fixing leaks keeps the system from being flooded with too much water at once.
- 3Protect the drainfield
Keep cars, heavy equipment, trees and extra water away from the area where the system drains.
- 4Inspect and pump on schedule
The EPA recommends an inspection at least every three years, with pumping typically every three to five years.
Septic system checklist
From the guide’s own checklist. Tick each one as you go. Your ticks stay on this device. These are examples; your home may need others.
All done. Your septic system should work quietly and well.
If drains back up or smell
- Take a breath, and stop using water in the home as much as you can. Less water going in buys time until a professional can look.
- Don’t flush toilets or run the washer or dishwasher until the problem is checked.
- Keep children and pets away from any sewage or soggy areas in the yard.
- Never open, enter or lean over a septic tank.
- Take photos of backups, wet areas or anything unusual, and note what was running when it started.
- Share it right away in writing so a septic professional can look.
Sewage coming into the home is an emergency. You did exactly the right thing.
Warning signs worth sharing
- Inside: slow drains, gurgling in the pipes, sewage smells, or water backing up into tubs, sinks or the lowest drains in the home.
- Outside: standing water, soggy spots, sewage smells, bright green patches of grass over the drainfield, or a septic alarm that sounds.
These are common signs. Your system may show others.
Guides that go well with this one
Like it on paper?
The printable checklist for this guide is fillable, with a screen version and an ink saver print version. Keep it on your phone or pin it to the fridge.
How much do you remember?
4 quick questions from this guide, with a one line why for each. Totally optional, no sign in, and your answers are never saved.
Go deeper with The Perfect Seasonal Home Care Checklist Workbook
Simple, step by step checklists you can write in, one topic at a time, to help any home stay warm, safe and dry through every season.
Keep the full guide handy
The PDF has everything: everyday habits, what to do when something goes wrong, common myths, helpful resources and plenty of real-world tips. Print it, save it or share it with anyone who could use it.
Download the PDFTake it with you
- Bunklow Home Guide 102: Residential Gravity Septic Tank Three-Layer Settling FundamentalsA printable Bunklow guide to residential gravity septic tank three-layer settling fundamentals: plain steps, how often to check, and when to call a pro.See it in the shop
- Bunklow Home Guide 105: Septic Tank Sludge Measuring, Inspection Ports, and Pumping IntervalsA printable guide to septic tank sludge measuring, inspection ports, and pumping intervals, in plain steps.See it in the shop
More guides
This guide shares general information to help you, and is not legal, medical or health-code advice. Please use a licensed septic professional for inspections, pumping and repairs. Bunklow does not inspect properties or make repairs.