If you consider yourself handy around the house, you may be tempted to do your own septic tank work. After all, you may want to save money and don't want to wait for a maintenance professional. However, you could do more harm than good to your septic tank and your home. Septic tank professionals have the equipment and training to properly work with your septic system. Here are a few reasons why you should never attempt to use your DIY skills on this part of your home.

Accidental Damage

A damaged septic system can be devastating for you and anyone in your vicinity. Remember, these tanks are designed to hold and process all the wastewater coming from your home. When they can't function properly, that wastewater may go where it shouldn't. These systems have delicate components, filters, and pumps that require specialized care and training. If you make the wrong move while attempting a DIY project in this system, you could break or dislodge something. As a result, you would cause your septic system to malfunction, and then your wastewater may back up into your home or seep into the soil. Your septic tank itself may be irreparably damaged, and then you would need to call a professional to handle it anyway.

Toxic Exposure

There are years' worth of wastewater sitting in your septic tank. If you try to start work on it without the proper training, you'll expose yourself to a major health hazard. You risk exposure to parasites, viruses, bacteria, and anything that would normally be found in wastewater. Being around toxic gases like hydrogen sulfate or methane could lead to nausea, headaches, and even death. Your septic professionals understand how to work with these types of toxic substances and have the right equipment and protection methods when working.

Local Compliance

According to WBUR, a Boston radio station, approximately 25% of people in the U.S. use septic tanks. There are specific local codes and regulations in place for anyone with a septic system. After all, a damaged septic system can cause a lot of harm to the local environment. These systems have standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency, such as how to properly dispose of the waste and pump it out. Failure to comply with these rules because you attempted DIY work in your septic system could result in costly fines and legal issues.

Property Value

For most Americans, a home is their largest and most expensive asset. That's why property value matters, as it's a major part of your overall net worth. If you've put so much time into buying a home and paying off your mortgage, you may put all those efforts to waste by causing a liability with your septic tank. Poorly maintained septic systems can cause problems with sewage backups, drainage field failure, foul odors, and environmental contamination. A property with these issues would quickly lose value. If you plan on selling your home in the future, working on your septic system yourself could make it harder.

Missed Issues

You can't afford to miss signs of trouble with your septic tank. Septic professionals have various specialties, and when they maintain your septic system, they do more than pump out waste. The professionals check the tank for corrosion, cracks, or leakage. They know what to check in your drainage field to ensure it's not overly saturated or clogged. They even test the surrounding soil to check the nutrient and pH levels. The water flow in your septic tank is tested, and they do a lot of preventative care to ensure the tank doesn't act up in the future. They work very diligently to detect small problems before they become big ones. If you're not trained in this profession, there are many elements you could miss that could damage your tank and property later on.

You can enjoy other DIY projects around the house without endangering your property. In other words, leave your septic tank system out of your home DIY efforts. Your septic tank is valuable for your sanitation and environmental protection. For regular maintenance, repairs, or other services related to your septic system, contact the team at Reliable Septic & Services today to get started with a free estimate!