Your To Do's

Best Care Practices:

~ Be Water-Wise ~

While it is always a good idea to try to conserve water, it is even more true when you are working with a septic tank. Every drop of water that leaves your home enters the septic tank system and must be treated by the system. As a septic tank owner, one of your main goals should be to flush as little water as possible and to do so gradually. Overwhelming your system can impact its ability to properly treat your wastewater, which in turn can lead to contamination of groundwater or nearby water sources. To help your family be water-wise, consider doing simple things like shutting off the tap while brushing your teeth and shaving, taking shorter showers, spreading out laundry days and only doing dishes or laundry when you have a full load to run the machine. 

~ Make sure your septic tank lids are closed & tightly secure ~

It is very important to keep your septic tank lid closed and secure. A loose or open lid can be a major safety hazard. Without knowing the dangers, a loose or open lid might look like an inviting place for children to explore. If the lid is not secure, then pets or wildlife might accidentally enter your septic tank. Making sure your lid is secured and not cracked or damaged in any way prevents a safety hazard from arising. 

~ Landscape with love ~

Landscaping around a septic tank system requires a bit of consideration. Your landscaping should not interfere with the functioning of your septic system and should not block or restrict access for repairs or emptying. Simple grass with a shallow root system is the best option for covering your septic tank and drain field area. Avoid a vegetable garden in the immediate area, ponds near the septic system or plants and trees with deep, water-loving roots. 

~ Keep septic tank lids easily accessible ~

Having the lid of your septic tank easily accessible will inevitably make your life easier. Whether there is a malfunction in the system that needs to be attended to or simply regular septic tank maintenance and emptying service, an easily accessible lid is essential. 

~ Pump your septic tank as needed ~

Pumping or emptying your septic tank as needed is an essential part of maintaining its function and avoiding any issues. The frequency of pumping your septic tank will vary according to how many people live in your home and your water usage. On average, this means every 1 to 3 years, but there is no hard and fast rule since there are so many factors at play. 

~ Direct run-off and excess water elsewhere ~

Run-off water from rain gutters or drains should be directed away from your septic tank system. The extra water from external sources creates the risk that the drain field will not work properly. 

~ Use Dagwood's Vac Services ~

Got questions? We will gladly answer any you have about your septic tank or septic systems. We can help you solve any issues you might be having and get your septic and wastewater system back into tip-top shape. From septic cleaning services to septic and sewer pump replacements.



We provide quality care and customer service for your sewer, septic and holding tanks. As the best septic cleaning company in Edmonton area, we pride ourselves on upholding that reputation. Just ask our reoccurring clients about the quality of septic cleaning services we provide. We guarantee you won't be disappointed! Call today to schedule your cleaning and vac truck service today!

The Don'ts

Worst Care Practices:

~ Use a garbage disposal ~

While a garbage disposal, also known as a garburator, might seem like an excellent way to deal with kitchen scraps, this is not the case if you have a septic system. Sending kitchen scraps through garbage disposal requires a lot of water and adds a significant amount to your septic tank. Frequent use of a garbage disposal will increase the accumulation of sludge in your septic tank, in turn, increases the frequency of pumping. 

~ Plant water-thirsty trees nearby ~

Thirsty trees will often come with big root systems that go searching for water. If you have ever seen the damage a tree root can do to a sidewalk, imagine what it might do to your septic tank over time. Water-thirsty trees have the potential to cause significant damage to your septic system if planted nearby. 

~ Flush anything but toilet paper down into your septic system ~

You don't want to be flushing unnecessary items into your septic system. Flushing anything besides toilet paper can wreak havoc on your septic system, causing it to fill quickly or possibly clog the tank system. Never flush cleaning wipes, facial tissue, plastic products, tampons, or paper towels into your septic system. Even items that are labelled as flushable or septic safe are better off in the trash. 

~ Put household chemicals down the drain ~

Pouring household chemicals down the drain can destroy the bacteria in your septic tank system that are essential to separating and breaking down solid waste. Contact your local municipality for information on how to properly dispose of household chemicals that should not enter your septic tank.

~ Park or drive cars & trucks over your drain field,

reserve area, or septic tank ~

The heavy load from cars and trucks on your drain field, reserve area or septic tank can cause a multitude of problems. Vehicles will compact the soil, which restricts water movement; it can also cause pipes or other components of your system to shift or crack under the extra weight. 

~ Use septic tank additives ~

There is no reason and no evidence that you should be using any septic tank additives. Your septic tank should get everything it needs to function properly from you and your family following a balanced diet. If a professional tells you that your tank is not functioning properly, your best option is to have the tank pumped and start again. 

~ Enter your septic tank ~

Never ever, under any circumstances, should you ever enter your septic tank. The gases inside can be fatal, not to mention any number of possible infections or illnesses if you come in contact with the contents. Put your health and safety first and avoid it entirely. If for some reason you need to access your tank to retrieve something or otherwise, please call us to assist you with it. 

~ Drain water from hot tubs into your septic system ~

Draining a hot tub into your septic system can overload it with too much water, while the chemicals and chlorine can destroy essential bacteria in the tank. Take the proper steps to safely drain your hot tub without utilizing your septic tank.