You probably already know that your home contains a multitude of items and systems that you need to maintain. If you become lazy when it comes to maintaining your HVAC system or roof, you might be in for some expensive repairs. But what about your septic tank? Your home's sewage system spends most of its time being completely invisible, so it's all too easy to neglect this critical part of your property.

Unfortunately, failing to maintain your septic tank can do more than leave you with a few extra repairs here and there. Routine septic pumping is crucial to maintain the safety and efficiency of your home's wastewater disposal system. If you don't currently have a plan to maintain your tank, here are three good reasons to start immediately.

1. A Full Tank Can Destroy Your System

Allowing your septic tank to fill and overflow will do more than cause some minor repair bills. The primary reason to pump your septic tank is to remove solids from the tank's base. These solids will slowly accumulate thanks to the presence of helpful bacteria, but excessive build-up will overwhelm the tank's microfauna.

Once the sludge layer builds up enough, solid waste may begin to enter your drainfield. However, this waste won't simply cause a clog. Instead, the solid waste can create an anaerobic environment in the surrounding drainage area, destroying the bacteria that break down effluent. If the problem becomes severe enough, the only option is to replace your entire drainfield.

2. Backups Can Cause Interior Damage

Once solid waste overwhelms your tank, it can cause backups in two directions: toward your drainfield or your home. While drainfield clogs are often a worst-case scenario, sewage backups aren't a walk in the park either. If effluent can no longer flow into your drainfield, it will begin to backflow toward your home, which can cause sewage to seep from drains in showers, toilets, and sinks.

These problems are messy, unpleasant, and can also be extremely expensive. This black water requires more than a mop and bucket to clean effectively, and you may need professional help to decontaminate the affected areas. Sticking to a regular pumping schedule will always be less costly than dealing with the mess of a sewage backup.

3. You May Face Legal Liabilities

Your septic system may seem simple, but it's a relatively sophisticated method to deal with harmful wastewater. As a septic system owner, you're responsible for ensuring your system disposes of this waste in a safe and environmentally friendly way. Although local codes and regulations vary, you may be responsible if a clogged septic system impacts neighboring properties or groundwater.

By scheduling routine pumping, you'll avoid the potentially catastrophic (and costly) environmental impacts of a clogged tank leaking into the surrounding area. Septic pumping is an easy, low-cost maintenance step that can prevent a variety of surprisingly expensive, messy, and complicated wastewater disposal problems. Reach out to a local service, such as Madden Septic, to learn more.