Septic System Frequently Asked Questions

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A septic system works by collecting wastewater from your home's plumbing and allowing it to settle in the septic tank. The solids settle to the bottom and are broken down by bacteria. The liquid flows through the outlet pipe and is filtered through the drain field before being absorbed into the soil.

To keep a septic system functioning properly and to avoid costly repairs or environmental damage, several items should never go into it. Here’s a list of what you should avoid putting into a septic system:

• Paper towels, tissues, wipes (even "flushable" ones): These don’t break down like toilet paper and can clog your system.
• Sanitary products: Tampons, pads, and diapers can cause blockages.
• Plastics or other synthetic materials: These will not break down and can damage the system.

• Harsh household cleaners: Bleach, ammonia, and other strong cleaning agents can kill beneficial bacteria in the septic tank.
• Paints, solvents, and thinners: These can contaminate groundwater and interfere with the natural breakdown of waste.
• Antifreeze, gasoline, motor oil: Any kind of automotive fluid is hazardous to the system and environment.

• Medications: Prescription or over-the-counter drugs can disrupt the balance of bacteria in the septic system.
• Antibiotics: These can kill the beneficial bacteria necessary for breaking down waste.

• Grease, fats, oils: These can solidify and cause blockages in pipes or form a scum layer that interferes with the septic system’s operation.
• Coffee grounds, egg shells, and other non-decomposable food scraps: These materials don’t break down easily and can fill the tank faster than necessary.

• Laundry or dishwasher overuse: Running multiple loads back-to-back can overload the system, making it difficult for the tank to process wastewater.
• Water softener backwash: The salts used in water softeners can harm the septic system.

• Hair: Hair clogs pipes and does not break down in the septic tank.
• Dental floss: Like hair, it does not decompose and can tangle around septic components.

• Cat litter: It contains clay and sand, which can clog and damage the system.
• Cigarette butts: These contain harmful chemicals and do not decompose easily.

Keeping these materials out of your septic system helps prevent clogs, damage, and environmental hazards. Regular maintenance and mindful usage are key to extending the lifespan of the system.

It depends on the size of your tank and the number of people in your household. Typically, septic tanks should be pumped every 3-5 years to ensure proper functioning. A household of 4 should be more towards 3 years and a couple can go 5. Older systems or smaller tank might require more frequent cleaning.

No, it is not required in Indiana or Michigan. However, we use a Sludge Judge to measure the sludge at the bottom of the tank, providing an estimate of when it was last cleaned. This helps determine whether pumping is needed soon or can be postponed. Cleaning out the septic during an inspection can also help determine structural integrity of the tank, especially on older systems. 

Backing up into the house or obstructing interior plumbing, coming up in the yard or around the tank, or contaminating sources of drinking, ground, or surface water. 

Bryan is IOWPA state certified and can work in any county in Indiana. We mainly service St Joseph, Elkhart, LaPorte, Marshall, Porter, Starke, Kosciusko, and Fulton in Indiana, and Berrien and Cass in Michigan. 

Yes, we are fully licensed, bonded, insured for your peace of mind. 

We work 7 days a week, any time we are needed. Emergency services available. 

A septic system is an on-site wastewater treatment system commonly used in areas without access to centralized sewer systems. It processes and disposes of household waste, including water from sinks, showers, toilets, and washing machines. The 3 most common types are gravity feed, where the wastewater trickles downhill; dose assisted, which is 2 tanks and a pump that directs the water uphill to the leach field; and mound systems, used when the ground cannot absorb water, so they bring in sand and gravel to filter the effluent on top of the soil. 

A typical septic system includes:

• Septic Tank: A watertight container that separates solids, oils, and grease from wastewater.
• Drainfield/Leach Field/Drywell/Absorption area: They can be trenches, pipe and gravel, chambers, a tank with holes for dispersing water, a mound of sand and gravel above ground, bed system, tiles, aerobic treatment units or in some instances, a Presby system.
• Distribution box: If a home is not on a drywell, it usually has a distribution box. (commonly called a D-box) It helps evenly distribute wastewater from the septic tank to the various pipes or trenches in the absorption area. It ensures that the effluent flows uniformly to prevent overloading any single part of the drainfield, which could lead to system failure.
• Soil (or Sand): Acts as a natural filter to remove contaminants before the water re-enters the groundwater system.
• Baffles: Walls or tees/turndowns inside the tank that prevent solids from flowing into the drainfield. 
• Filter: Found on the outlet pipe of the tank, to catch solids before they get out into your distribution box. Older systems don’t generally have filters, but they have been required by law for new installs since 2012.
• Riser: An access bringing the opening of the tank up to ground level, usually green or black plastic, occasionally concrete. It eliminates the need to dig up the ground to locate the septic tank for maintenance, inspection, pumping, or emergencies. Ours consist of the riser, a locking lid at ground level, internal safety device, and are sealed to the tank with concrete or sometimes butyl (tar) tape, to ensure it doesn’t shift throughout the years and no roots ever penetrate the tank interior. Risers are not required in Indiana, but highly recommended, as almost all pumpers charge a fee for locating and digging now. 

Effluent from the septic tank flows into these pipes, trenches, chambers, or drywell, and seeps into the surrounding soil, where bacteria and microbes naturally treat the wastewater. 

Baffles are barriers inside the septic tank on the pipes coming in and going out of the tank - generally walls, sanitary tees, or turndowns - that direct wastewater flow, ensuring solids remain in the tank and only liquids pass into the drainfield. They help maintain the system's efficiency and prevent clogging. Filters are found on the outlet baffle, and both inlet and outlet are required by the Indiana 410 rule.

Soil is a critical component, as it filters out harmful pathogens, nutrients, and chemicals from the effluent. Proper soil conditions are essential for effective wastewater treatment and environmental protection. 

Yes, advanced systems may include:

• Aerators: Introduce oxygen to aid in the breakdown of organic matter.
• Pumps: Help transport effluent to the drainfield or alternative treatment areas.
• Treatment Units: Provide additional filtration or disinfection before releasing effluent.

 Maintenance Steps:

• Regular Pumping: Have your septic tank pumped every 3-5 years or as recommended.
• Avoid Overloading the System: Limit water usage and space out high-water activities like laundry and dishwashing.
• Use Septic-Safe Products: Avoid harsh chemicals and dispose of waste properly.
• Inspect and Service Components: Check baffles and pipes regularly, and clean filters every 3-6 months depending on your household’s usage.

Signs include slow drains, gurgling sounds from plumbing, sewage odors, or pooling water around the tank. If you notice any of these, call us for an inspection. Normal operating level in a tank should be several inches below the inlet pipe (the main line coming into the tank from the house), and after pumping, will fill back up within 1-2 weeks.

Only human waste and toilet paper. Avoid flushing wipes (even if labeled "flushable"), feminine hygiene products, paper towels, and grease, as they can clog the system. 

No, introducing excess food particles and grease into your system can overwhelm the bacteria, and hinder the breakdown of solids, adding more sludge to the bottom of your tank. It can also clog your filter if you have one, or if it gets past your baffles, can build up in your distribution box or worse, debilitate your absorption area. 

A drainfield is the part of your septic system that filters wastewater into the soil, whether it’s a leach field or drywell. To maintain it, avoid parking or planting trees over the area, building anything on top of it, and diverting excess water away from the area. 

Avoid doing multiple loads of laundry on the same day. Instead, aim to do 1–2 loads per day over several days to give the system time to process the wastewater. High-efficiency washing machines use less water and are gentler on septic systems. If you’re upgrading appliances, consider this option. Avoid powdered detergents, as they may form clumps that can cause blockages. If possible, avoid running other water-intensive appliances, such as dishwashers or showers, while doing laundry. This prevents overloading the drainfield.

Every 3-6 months depending on your household size and usage. A family of 4 should be checking it every 3 months, and a couple can go up to 6.  We offer filter maintenance schedules suited to your home’s individual needs. 

Property transfer or maintenance inspections, diagnostics, risers, access lids and internal safety devices (all risers include both), inlet & outlet baffles, dose pump repair & replacement, floats, main lines, D-box repair & replacement, diverter/bull run valve repair & replacement, locating services, line camera, rootering and hydro-jetting.  While we ourselves do not pump or install at this time, we work with multiple quality contractors who assist our work. Krueger’s Septic does our pumping in Indiana north of Kern Rd and Molnar is our go to south. Installers we partner with are Walt’s Septic, G4, and Bass.  We have connections in almost every industry, so we try to be a one stop shop to refer you to all the best for your home’s needs!

Contact us immediately so we can get out and evaluate the situation. Signs of failure include sewage backups, foul odors, or wet spots in your yard. Acting quickly can prevent further damage and we can guide you through the next steps.

Yes, we provide 7 day a week emergency services. Call us anytime, and Bryan will come out and try to resolve the issue promptly.

Reach out to us at 574-339-9557 or 574-344-6691. Or email: service@jbwagnerseptic.com We’re here to help!