Here are four tips to help you plan and manage your installation to prevent common septic issues later. 

Septic baffles are the piece used at the inflow and outflow of the septic tank. The inlet baffle mainly helps direct wastewater so that it takes a downward trajectory. The outlet baffle holds back the solids and the floating scum layer so that only liquid waste flows out to the leach field (also known as soil absorption area).

Plastic may not sound like the highest-quality material to use, but the two materials typically used for septic baffles are plastic and concrete. Concrete tends to react with one of the gases produced in the tank. This reaction weakens the concrete until it crumbles. A plastic baffle, also called a sanitary tee, doesn't suffer from the same ailment. 

Plastic septic baffles are a huge part of keeping your septic system in good order. That's because a crumbled baffle can cause big problems.

For example, the baffle could collapse into the tank's outflow pipe and prevent water from leaving the tank. Or it could simply crumble away from the bottom until it doesn't hold back solids and scum any more. Solids and scum could then make their way out of the tank and end up in the leach field, which will clog the lines.

If you plan to add to your family later on and you want to stay in this house long-term, you'll need to make sure your septic system is up to the task. Even if your house isn't big enough for more family members now, if you plan to add on later, you'll need to have the septic capacity if you hope to be able to update your house in a cost-effective way.

Invest in a tank that will keep up with your family's size. Not only the tank itself, but also the leach field will need to have a larger capacity if you plan to have a larger family in future.

In addition to a septic baffle that won't crumble, you really need to have a septic filter at the outlet pipe. This will help further narrow down what reaches the leach field. If too much waste with high organic content gets into the leach field lines, it can eat up the oxygen until the leach field's aerobic bacteria are no longer healthy because of the reduced oxygen levels.

When the aerobic bacteria fail to thrive, your leach field's anaerobic bacteria (those that don't require air) can take over. This result tends to smell bad, and it can result in a thicker slime layer that can clog up the soil.

You'll likely work with a professional septic contractor to install your septic system. Ask the contractor if they also provide septic maintenance. If so, ask them to simply send you a reminder when your system is due for its first maintenance visit, when your system will need its first pump-out and filter cleaning.

If the installation contractor doesn't offer maintenance, ask them to recommend a local contractor who does.

These four tips can help you consider each aspect of how your septic system's installation process will affect its future performance and lifespan. And of course, one of the most important factors in any installation is the expertise of the installer. So be sure you only choose a qualified, reputable local installer with great reviews.

JT Sanitation provides septic services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We offer not only soil testing and tank installations but also services for those with existing septic systems, such as video line inspections and high-pressure jetting for blocked sewer or drain lines. Get in touch today to learn more.