Taking care of your septic system is not as difficult as it seems. Although there is a handful of things to remember to keep your septic system in a proper condition, upkeep for it is generally easy. But if you have only been recently introduced to a home with a septic system, here are 4 helpful tips in keeping your septic system functioning.
Dispose of Your Waste Properly
Whether you flush it down your toilet or dispose it in a garbage disposal, you have to be mindful that everything that goes down your drain ends up in your septic system. This means that wastes that you drain can affect how your septic system functions.
So to ensure that your septic system functions properly, here are some of the things and substances that you should never flush down your toilet or pour down in your sink:
- Cooking Oil and Grease
- Pharmaceuticals / Medicine
- Bleach, Lye, and other Heavy-duty Cleaning Solutions
- Gasoline, Paint, Thinners
- Household Chemicals such as Insecticides and Disinfectants
Protect Your Drainfield
Your drainfield is responsible for filtering out contaminants from the liquid that comes from your septic tank. Needless to say, this component plays a vital role in a septic system, so it’s only right that you ensure that it is protected and maintained properly.
To prevent your drainfield from getting damaged, you should never park or drive on or near it, plant trees in its immediate surrounding, or let water penetrate the area. This ensure that the wastewater treatment in your drainfield will continue to function effectively.
Avoid Using Ammonia and Bleach as Cleaning Products
A lot of people use ammonia and bleach in cleaning various parts of their home. However, the use of these types of products can affect your septic system in a bad way. In general, you should avoid using cleaning products like bleach, toilet cleaners, drain cleaners, detergents, ammonia, and lye if you have a septic tank system. These products increase the risk of soil and water contamination that often result to a septic system failure.
It’s best to use green cleaning products that are biodegradable and low in phosphorus. Most manufacturers indicate if a product is safe to use in a house with a septic system. Always check the label before purchasing any cleaning product.
Perform Regular Inspections and Maintenance
One of the best ways to ensure that your septic system will run efficiently is by performing regular inspection and pumping. According to the EPA, a household with a septic system should be pumped every 3 to 5 years. Inspections, on the other hand, should be done every year to ensure that everything in your septic system is functioning properly. By strictly doing these procedures, your septic system is guaranteed to work with no problems for years.