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3 Ways to Prevent Septic System Root Intrusion
There are no fail-proof ways to prevent your septic system from root intrusion. Roots can be scary because they sneak up on you without knowing until it’s often too late! So what can you do to stay ahead? Here are the top 3 things you can do to prevent roots from taking over your septic system:
- Clean your septic tank every 3-5 years. Not only does the sludge get removed by cleaning, but it is often the first line of defense in keeping roots out of the tank. Almost all cases of excessive roots in the septic tank are because they had time to grow – because the tank had not been pumped out in a long time. Small feeder roots can be kept on top of, chopped off and possibly pulled out. Regular pumping can address roots that may be entering the tank so that they don’t take over!
- Clean your drainfield. Rootering your drainfield and adding root treatment can stay on top of roots and prevent them from clogging up your drainfield. Roots will eventually grow back, so cleaning your field periodically can help prolong the system. Once roots have taken over the drainfield there may be no other remedy than complete system replacement.
- Avoid planting trees or shrubs near the system. Obviuosly, the less root growing plants around the system the better. But roots can also travel quite far, which is why it’s important to clean your tank and drainfield.
Ready to learn more about the septic tank cleaning and drainfield cleaning process? Give us a call–our professionals are happy to help!