A Practical Septic Maintenance Checklist for Michigan Homeowners

Everyday habits

• Fix leaking toilets, faucets, and fixtures promptly.
• Spread laundry and dishwasher loads instead of creating one large surge.
• Keep wipes, grease, coffee grounds, hygiene products, litter, paint, fuel, pesticides, and harsh chemicals out of drains.
• Use a garbage disposal sparingly because additional solids can affect pumping frequency.
• Know what an alarm sounds like and how to contact the correct service provider.

Inspect the property through the seasons

• Keep roof drains, sump discharge, irrigation, and grading from directing water onto the field.
• Maintain shallow grass cover and avoid deep-rooted landscaping over components.
• Keep vehicles, equipment, patios, pools, sheds, and additions away from operating and reserve areas.
• Look for damaged lids, settlement, erosion, odor, unusually green growth, or soft and wet ground without opening the tank.
• After flooding, conserve water and have electrical and septic components assessed safely.

Maintain a useful record

Keep the county permit, approved plan, system type, capacity, component manuals, maintenance agreement, pump dates, measured solids, inspection findings, repairs, alarm events, and provider contact information together. Give the file to the next owner.

EPA commonly recommends household system inspection at least every three years and pumping typically every three to five years, with alternative systems inspected more frequently. Follow property-specific recommendations and local requirements.

Before adding a bedroom, pole barn, pool, driveway, deck, or home addition, confirm whether Livingston County requires a site review and protect the replacement area.