Septic Maintanenace Tips
Septic system upkeep may seem like a difficult and unpleasant task, but it's really not. Keeping the system in good shape requires being aware of what you're doing inside the home. You don't need to spend a lot of money or time maintaining your septic system. However, neglecting your septic system could wind up costing you a lot of money because digging up and replacing a septic system can run into the tens of thousands of dollars.
Septic Systems & What They Are
Your septic system is essential if your property is not connected to a city water and sewer system because it handles all the sewage that exits your home, including the water from the bathrooms, kitchen, and laundry room. Typical septic systems have a tank into which wastewater is pumped for treatment, separating the particles from the liquid waste. The organic materials in wastewater are broken down by microorganisms. The wastewater then enters the drain or leach field, which is made up of perforated pipes, from there. Either the wastewater will evaporate or it will
Understanding Your Septic System
Knowing your septic system's operation, type, and location is the first step in performing effective maintenance. Your county or town should have a copy of the permit and a plan showing the layout and placement of the tank because state regulations call for a permit to be obtained before a septic system may be installed. You might be able to identify visible cues like sewage covers or by determining which way the house's basement-located sewer pipe exits.
Routine Septic Pumping
Every three to five years, the typical household septic system needs to be pumped (solids removed). Depending on the size of the tank, the average cost to pump a residential septic tank is between $300 and $600. When you contact a septic service provider, they will also check your septic tank for leaks and look at the sludge layers. Keep in mind to keep ALL maintenance documentation for septic system work. They will be useful if issues emerge or if you decide to sell your home.
Designated Laundry/Dishwasher Days
You might believe that setting out a specific day for washing, when you wash every item of clothing and maybe even run the dishwasher, will save you time. Your septic system, however, is under a great deal of strain. You need to give your septic system time to treat the wastewater or you could overload the system and flood your drainfield. Instead, opt to do a full load (to ensure you’re not wasting water) a couple of days a week.
Avoid Toilet Misuse
Toilet paper is the ONLY item that should be flushed down the toilet that is not an expulsion from your body. Thus, there won't be any Kleenex, diapers, feminine hygiene items, hair, dental floss, or anything else. The septic tank is intended to break down toilet paper. Any other products are not; they will clog your septic system and cause damage. Choose toilet paper that won't harm your septic system. Some of the opulent, pricey ones with lotions and extra plies could clog your system or
Avoid Kithcen Drain Misuse
Many things that we dispose of in the kitchen sink might seriously damage a septic system. Never pour items like coffee grounds, eggshells, pills, produce stickers, flour, or other household cleaners down the sink drain. They can all jam screens or choke pipes. Additionally, avoid throwing away any kind of oil, including cooking oil, paint, grease, and fat, as doing so will clog your septic system. Even dairy items like butter, cream, and milk should not be flushed down the toilet. The lack of oxygen in a septic tank makes it difficult for dairy to decompose. When you use a garbage disposal in conjunction with a septic tank, the food scraps that are ground up add to the solids layer that is left behind on the tank's bottom.Because of this, homeowners need to be especially careful to only put biodegradable.
Be Cautious With Chemicals
Different cleaning solutions used by homeowners might damage a septic system's beneficial bacteria. When washing garments, stay away from chemicals like bleach. Use only a small amount, if you must. Avoid using drain cleansers since they might harm the tank itself in addition to harming healthy microorganisms. Try using a toilet drain snake, which also unclogs clogged sinks in the kitchen and bathroom, if a plunger is unable to remove the obstruction. Because they frequently contain bleach, toilet bowl cleaners are also dangerous for your septic system. Likewise, stay away from disinfectants and antibacterial soaps that include quaternary ammonia. Thankfully, there are several ecological or plant-based cleaning products available as alternatives to these harsh chemicals.
Safeguard Your Leachfield
As was mentioned above, monitoring water use and what enters your septic system is the first step in doing proper maintenance on your drainfield. Never park or drive on top of your drainfield. Ensure that sump pumps and gutters discharge water far from the drainfield. Avoid growing plants with roots close to the drainfield, such as trees and shrubs.
