Best septic tank pros near Savage, MT

A properly installed and maintained septic drain field (also known as a leach field) can last up to 50 years, though the average is around 20 years. However, factors like poor soil conditions, heavy usage, or improper maintenance can significantly shorten its lifespan to 15-20 years.

To extend the life of your drain field:

• Schedule Regular Inspections: Have the entire septic system, including the drain field, inspected every two to five years to catch problems early.

• Protect the Area: Avoid driving heavy vehicles or placing heavy structures over the drain field. Plant only grass or other lightweight vegetation with shallow roots over the area.

• Maintain the Septic Tank: Proper care of the septic tank, including regular pumping and avoiding harmful chemicals, prevents strain on the drain field.

Be aware of signs of failure, such as strange odors, standing water, or unusually lush grass over the field, which indicate your system may need professional attention.

A septic tank is an underground container that collects and holds wastewater until it’s sufficiently filtered and broken down. It treats wastewater by separating waste so the leftover liquid can travel into the drainfield where the soil and gravel eventually filter and purify it. This process naturally eliminates bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants.

The water refills in a well through gravity that draws water from the water table to fill the vertical hole. The pump brings the fresh water through a pressure tank and to the pipes in your house. The well continues to refill indefinitely as long as you don’t use more water than the well is producing.

The best bacteria to add to a septic tank is anaerobic bacteria, which doesn't use oxygen to break down solid waste. Because there is less oxygen in a septic tank, anaerobic bacteria can decompose sludge in a sealed environment. On the other hand, aerobic bacteria need oxygen and are prevalent in the leach or drain field of a septic system.