Alabama's beautiful beaches, vibrant urban centers, and
stunning mountain landscapes make it one of the best vacation states in
America, and renting out properties to vacationing families and friend groups
can be very profitable. However, if your vacation rental property relies on a
septic tank system, your guests may end up doing more harm than good to your
finances.
If your guests have only ever lived in urban areas with full
municipal sewer services, they may not be aware of the limitations of septic
tank systems. Improper use of septic tanks by uninformed tenants can cause
serious damage to the septic system and may even cause your rental property to
become flooded.
Fortunately, you can take a number of simple steps to
protect your rental property's septic tank system from ignorant (or
irresponsible) vacationers.
1. Maintain Pumping and Maintenance Schedules
All septic tank systems need regular pumping to remove
sludge and solid matter, and your vacation rental's septic tank is no
exception. Septic tank experts usually recommend pumping your septic tank once
every three
or four years.
Since most vacation rentals aren't occupied 365 days a year,
their septic systems generally see less use than tanks in residential
properties. This may allow you to pump the tank less often, which can lead to
substantial savings over time.
However, if your tank goes without pumping for too long, it
can cause the drainfield and other parts of the property to flood with
contaminated water and liquid effluent - a bad end to any vacation, and one
that could cost you thousands of dollars in repairs and renovations. Erring on
the side of caution and sticking to a regular pumping schedule is usually the
safer option.
You should also make sure that your vacation rental's septic
tank has regular inspections to check for any damage or wear and tear that
could lead to future problems. Many septic tank pumping services also offer
inspection and repair services, so hiring the same company to perform all three
tasks can save money and simplify your maintenance scheduling.
2. Educate Your Guests
If your guests are aware of the limitations of septic tank
systems, they are much less likely to use it improperly, so give your guests a
basic education on how to safely use a septic tank. If you live relatively
close to the rental property in question, you can educate your guests in person
if you wish.
However, an easier option is to leave educational pamphlets
and posters in and around your vacation rental. The Environmental Protection
Agency publishes a variety of free informational pamphlets designed
specifically for rental property owners. These can be left in bathrooms,
kitchens, and laundry rooms and provide useful, visual safety reminders for
your guests.
3. Steer Clear Of Party Groups
Septic tanks have limited capacities and will overflow if
your rental property uses too much water in a given period of time. For
example, a rental property with two bedrooms would usually be serviced by a
septic tank that can handle the daily water use of four or five people.
This can become a serious problem if a hundred-strong group
of partygoers descends on your vacation rental. Overuse of toilets, showers,
and sinks in a short space of time can lead to rapid and uncontrollable
flooding. Vacation rentals converted from residential properties can be particularly
vulnerable to overuse if their septic tanks have not been upgraded.
For these reasons, you should generally avoid hosting party
groups at any rental property that uses a septic tank system. If you do want to
turn your property into a party zone, you should seriously consider installing
an upgraded septic tank system with a higher capacity.
If you need to know more about septic tank maintenance for
rental properties, or you have any more questions about septic tank systems in
general, contact the experts at Allen's
Septic Tank Service.
