Most field failures start at the drain, not the tank. Never flush wipes of any kind, including ones labelled flushable - they do not break down and they are the single most common cause of a blocked outlet we see. Grease, coffee grounds, cat litter, harsh chemicals and paint do not belong in a septic system either.
A garbage disposal dramatically increases the solids load reaching your tank. If you have one, it changes your pumping interval - tell us when we schedule your next visit.
Additives sold as a substitute for pumping do not work - there is no product that removes the need to physically pump out accumulated sludge. Water load matters just as much: a leaking toilet or a tap left running can hydraulically overload a healthy field on its own.
