septic system maintenance
Tips for a Healthy Septic SystemIt is essential to the health of your system that it be pumped regularly! WE CANNOT STRESS THIS ENOUGH! The majority of issues we see with tanks is the lack of attention they get.
You can also help to improve your tank’s efficiency by conserving water whenever possible. Try to space out water usage throughout the week; this allows your system time to settle properly. Also, try not to use a garbage disposal if possible, compost garbage instead.
Other ways to keep from damaging your system are to NEVER…
- Allow excess amounts of fat or grease into the system as they can clog and disrupt flow.
- Allow trucks or heavy equipment to drive over the system.
- Use water softener systems as this can destroy the bacterial action in the tank and weaken the tanks ability to break down waste.
- Use excessive amount of laundry soap, detergents, chemical drain cleaners, bleach or other heavy duty chemicals. These chemicals can kill the friendly bacteria that make your system function properly.
- Ignore plumbing leaks! Any leak from dripping faucets to running toilets can quickly saturate any system. Always fix these problems immediately or it could end up costing you down the road.
How Often Should You Pump?
Knowing how often a system is something every homeowner should be aware of. This timetable depends on several factors:
- The size of the tank.
- The number of people using the tank day to day.
- If washing machines, garbage disposals, water softeners, or other household waste and gray-water producing appliances are used.
- If anyone using the toilets is taking large quantities of medications. (This can affect the bacterial action in the tank)
- Lush vegetation or grass growth.
- Sewage back-up into the home.
- High surface or standing water in the leaching area.
- Odor or slow drainage from household fixtures.
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