3 Tips That Can Help You Prevent Septic Tank Failure
Posted on: 30 January 2015
A failing septic system can be a disaster. It's a health hazard for your family and for your nearest neighbors. A failing septic system can bring down your property values. It can also cause environmental damage to the soil and groundwater near your home. And of course, a septic system can cost large amounts of money to fix. The best way for you to avoid septic system failure is to treat it carefully during normal use. Here are a few tips that you can use in your normal routine that will help keep your septic system in good shape and prevent leaks and blockages.
In the Laundry Room
Do you tend to build up large amounts of laundry, and then wash it all at once? This can cause a lot of water to rush into your septic system quickly, putting a strain on your wastewater system. Try spreading your laundry out over the course of the week. You may not use any less water, but you will make the flow of water into your septic system more manageable, and prevent overflow.
While you're focusing on laundry, choose dryer sheets instead of liquid fabric softener, as the latter is hard to break down in the septic system. Also, look for low-suds and low-phosphate biodegradable detergents, as these will be easier on your system.
In the Kitchen
Avoid pouring fats and grease of any kind down the drain. Lard, vegetable oil, and animal fat are all capable of clogging your drains, and they're difficult for the bacteria in your septic system to effectively break down. Instead, pour used fats or greases into disposable containers and throw them away.
If you have a garbage disposal, try to use it only for small quantities of food, and bear in mind that if you use it often, you're going to need to schedule solid waste removal more often than if you use it only rarely.
Chemicals
When it comes to cleaning products, try to use biodegradable cleaners whenever possible. You can use citric acid or chlorine to clean, but you should avoid ammonia or pine-oil based cleaners, for the health of your septic system. Use a plunger or a pipe snake to unclog drains whenever possible – save chemical drain cleaners for a last resort.
Never pour unused or expired medicines down the drain, as these will contaminate your system. If possible, it's safest to return unused medicines to the doctor or pharmacy, but if that's not possible, throw them in the trash, not down the drain.
Taking care of your septic system saves you time and money, and can help save the environment around you from being exposed to contaminants in your system. It's not difficult to adjust your routine to incorporate these septic system saving tips.
For more information, or if you would like professional assistance, contact Mr Bob or a similar company.
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