For properties that don’t have access to a public sewer line, an onsite sewage facility (OOSF) is essential to collect and treat wastewater. Septic tanks are watertight, underground containers that safely disperse wastewater away from a residence without contaminating the environment or causing health issues.
When it comes to rental properties, there can be confusion surrounding who is responsible for maintaining a septic system. Here, Arrow Sewer & Drain offers insight and explains what landlords and tenants in North and Central New Jersey need to know about septic tank maintenance.
Septic Tank Responsibilities of the Owner/Landlord
In New Jersey, the responsibility of maintaining a septic system primarily falls on the landlord or owner. The person or company in charge of the property is accountable for ensuring the system functions properly and meets local environmental standards and codes. This can entail regularly scheduling professional inspections of the system, necessary pumping of the septic tank to prevent backups and contamination, and conducting septic tank repairs to address any issues that arise, including leaks, clogs, or failing components.
Additionally, it is the responsibility of the landlord to promptly address any tenant complaints regarding septic system issues like foul odors or slow draining. Landlords should also educate tenants on proper septic tank use to prevent damage and minimize the risk of potential problems. This should include what items should not be flushed down toilets and discarded in drains. Landlords can provide tenants with guidelines about the septic system and best practices in the lease agreement.
Septic Tank Responsibilities of Tenants
As a tenant with a septic system, your primary responsibility is to use the system correctly and engage in proper waste disposal practices. That entails only flushing toilet paper, human waste, and septic-safe products down the toilet.
Items that should not be disposed of down toilets hooked up to septic systems include:
- Baby wipes
- Sanitary napkins
- Paper towels
- Personal hygiene products
- Harsh chemicals
- Medications
Tenants should also be mindful of water usage to prevent overloading the system. To accomplish this, tenants can avoid excessively long showers and spread laundry loads throughout the week instead of doing them all at once.
Furthermore, it is the tenant’s responsibility to report any signs of septic system failure to the landlord immediately, including slow draining, sewage smells, or water backing up in drains.
Professional Septic Tank Maintenance in Middlesex, NJ
For over 15 years, Arrow Sewer & Drain has provided professional septic tank services for residential and commercial/industrial properties. Using advanced technology, our experts possess the knowledge and resources to successfully maintain your septic system and keep it functioning properly for your tenants.
Our comprehensive maintenance services include regularly inspecting the system by examining its critical components, including the tank and drain field, to assess functionality and identify potential issues. Our maintenance offerings also entail pumping services to remove solids, liquids, and floating debris. Should our trained technicians discover any concerns with the septic system, Arrow Sewer & Drain can perform the necessary repairs.
As a full-service septic provider, our expertise allows us to offer many services, such as septic tank installation or replacement, septic tank removal, and septic tank decommissioning. Our team can also perform contaminated soil removal to prevent potentially hazardous situations and keep tenants safe.
Call Today About Septic Tank Maintenance
To ensure your septic tank functions correctly, turn to the pros at Arrow Sewer & Drain. Serving Somerset County and Middlesex County, NJ, we provide high-quality septic tank maintenance and other services for landlords and property owners. Contact us for more information about septic tank responsibility or to schedule a service today.
