You need to maintain your septic system to safeguard your property against disaster, like sewage leaks or the septic tank becoming blocked and creating a nasty odor. For those who aren’t sure what a septic system is, it is essentially your own sewage treatment facility for your property. They hold your wastewater long enough to separate waste products so they can be effectively drained away and are most common in rural areas where there are no centralized sewer systems. If you have recently had a septic tank installed and are wondering how to go about its maintenance, then read this article. It serves as a simple guide, breaking down the process in digestible pieces for you.
Monitor Water Consumption
One of the most common mistakes people make with their septic tanks is overloading them with too much water. A large amount of discharge could cause a backup which naturally has some undesirable consequences for your sewage system. To avoid doing this, we recommend monitoring your usage and conserving water wherever you can. For example, don’t take multiple baths in a row, or run your washing machine several times in one day.
Regularly Service
It’s important to service your septic system on a regular basis to make sure nothing has gone awry and could lead to bigger issues further down the line. There are plenty of contractors out there who can do this for you, such as Hall’s Septic Services who specialize in the cleaning, repairing and inspections of septic tanks. They also pump your system, which is essential for breaking down waste products and preventing them from clogging the drains. Also, regular servicing means your septic tank will last for longer.
Carefully Deposit Waste
Most people dump all sorts down the drain, which can lead to the system becoming clogged with waste products that don’t decompose. Eventually, this will cause major problems for your septic tank. As such, you should deposit most of your waste into the bins. It’s especially important to avoid putting things like coffee grounds, baby nappies, face wipes, sanitary products, solid foods and other non-decompostable materials into the drains. Where you can, buy biodegradable products. For instance, high-quality toilet paper breaks down a lot more easily than low-grade toilet paper, preventing septic systems from clogging.
Avoid Oil, Fat and Grease
Septic systems are much like our arteries in that they can become blocked from a build-up of fat over time. Therefore, you should never pour cooking oils, grease and fatty fluids down the drain when cleaning up after cooking. Eventually, these will create a horrible berg of fatty waste products which are a nightmare to clean away. To avoid this, we recommend wiping any oily pans and dishes with kitchen roll before washing them in the sink and depositing excess fat into the bins.
These are our top tips for maintaining your septic system. They’re simple and easy to do, protecting your tank from breaking down or blocking in the future.
Tags: backyard, eco-friendly, energy efficiency, home improvement
