How To Properly Maintain Your Septic System

How To Properly Maintain Your Septic System

One of the most important parts of the plumbing in your home is the septic system. Properly taking care of your septic system is imperative so that it works well, and you do not deal with raw sewage backing up into your house. There are many things that you need to do to ensure that your septic tank is properly maintained.

Routine Pumping and Inspection

You should have your septic tank pumped every three to five years. More often if you have more people living in your home. Generally speaking, you should pay around $200-$600, and this will vary depending on the size of your septic tank. While the septic tank is being pumped, an inspection should take place. This inspection will include looking for leaks and looking at the sludge levels in your tank. If any repairs are needed, make sure that you get those done as soon as possible. For example, if something goes wrong with your backflow preventer, they will be able to get backflow preventer repair parts out quickly and have your backflow preventer up and running.

Don’t Do All Your Washing In One Day

One of the worst things that you can do to your septic tank is to use your washing machine and dishwasher every single day. Some people pick one day a week where they do all their clothes washing. This puts stress on the septic system because it has to process several loads of wastewater. Instead of washing your clothes or running your dishwasher once a week, consider running it at least a couple of times a week. Also, you will want to ensure that you are doing a full load each time you run the dishwasher or washing machine to help conserve water.

Don’t Flush Everything Down the Toilet

The only thing that should be flushed down the toilet is bodily waste and toilet paper. No dental floss, feminine products, diapers, and more should be flushed down it as this can cause a severe problem. Toilet paper will break down in the septic tank, but those other items will not. It is also important that you find toilet paper that is 100 percent septic safe. Some toilet papers out there are not septic tank friendly and will eventually lead to your toilet clogging or your septic tank becoming full.

Don’t Put Everything Down the Sink Drain

Many things can cause a septic tank to fail, and what you put down your kitchen sink matters. Coffee grounds, grease, flour, medication, and more can clog pipes and cause damage to your septic tank. Do not put food products like dairy down the drain because it has a hard time breaking down in the septic tank. If you have a garbage disposal, it is important to ensure that you are only disposing of biodegradable food when you use it. It is a great idea to put sink strainers on each one of your drains to ensure that you do not put something down the drain that should not be.

Cleaning Chemicals

Cleaning chemicals can cause the good bacteria in your septic system to die. Do not use bleach when washing clothes, and if you have to, only use a very small amount. It is also a good idea to stay away from chemical drain cleaners. Drain cleaners will not only kill the good bacteria in the tank, but they will also damage your tank and the pipes. If you have a clog, use a drain snake, or call out a plumber to fix the problem. Another chemical cleaner you should avoid is large amounts of ammonia as it can cause issues too.

Drain Field Maintenance

You should find out where your drain field is and closely monitor it. You do not want to park vehicles or drive over your drain field. Never plant trees or shrubs near your drain field, as roots will grow into your pipes, causing a massive amount of damage and potential backups into your home.

Taking care of your septic tank will help you to avoid any issues with wastewater backing up into your home or yard. If you properly maintain your septic tank, it should last for many years, and you will not have to worry about replacing it. Remember to get it pumped and inspected regularly, and be careful what you put down your drains.

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