Septic Maintenance Tips For Your Rental Property
If you own a rental property, it's important that you maintain the property for the tenants. However, it's even more important that you be able to do so in the most cost-effective way. Fortunately, when it comes to your septic tank, this goal is one that you can accomplish.
1. Inform the Tenant
A septic tank system comes along with its own set of usage parameters. The tenant can only abide by these usage guidelines when they know they exist. First, ensure you let the tenant know that the home is operated on a septic tank.
Second, make certain they understand the importance of proper usage, such as what not to flush down the toilet or how to recognize the signs that something is wrong, such as backing up drains and unusual odors. The more informed your tenant is, the better they can help you keep the septic system working efficiently.
2. Pre-Plan for Pumping
Septic pumping is by far one of the most important steps you need to take in order to keep the septic system in place. When you fail to have the tank pumped routinely, waste can start to back up inside the rental home, and the actual tank can become damaged.
To ensure you don't forget about the process, it's wise to pre-plan for pumping. A septic professional will be able to help you determine how often you should have the tank pumped based on its size, and how much use it gets. Schedule this service on your own without the input of the tenant to make the process easier.
3. Assess the Tank
If you've owned the property for several years and you notice that you have to pump the tank more often than you have in the past, it might be a good time to assess the tank, specifically in terms of size. Even if you had a large rental home that you divided into a multi-family unit, you should consider a new tank.
As a general rule, if the tank is sized too small for the demands of a property, the tank will have to be pumped more often. While it might seem like an initial investment to purchase a new, larger tank, in the long run, the larger the tank, the less often you will have to have the tank pumped.
While all of these tools are helpful, remember that your commitment to regular maintenance is the most important thing. Make sure you do your part to keep your costs as manageable as possible.