Do You Have a Septic Tank? 4 Ways to Make Sure It Stays in Working Order

It’s easy to take your septic tank for granted. After all, it’s underground, and you don’t see it. Unless something is going wrong, you don’t even smell it. Indeed, if it is taken care of properly, your septic system can operate for years without calling attention to itself. But the trick is to make sure it’s taken care of properly. Here are four ways to do so:

Use Water Efficiently

One good way to take care of your septic tank is to use water efficiently. Take care to not put more water into your septic system at one time than it can tolerate. This might mean investing in newer model toilets that use less water per flush, showerheads that cut down on the flow of water and faucet aerators. It’s also a good idea to make sure your washing machine is full before you do the wash, but don’t wash one full load after the other. Spread the loads out over the week.

Don’t Throw Trash in the Toilet

There are products whose labels say that they can be flushed, such as tampons. The labels are lying. Nothing should go down the toilet save bodily waste and toilet paper. You should not even flush paper towels or facial tissue down the toilet because they are not made to break down in your septic system the way toilet paper is.

Septic Tank Cleaning

This is an important thing you should definitely consider doing for your system. Cleanings can help get rid of excess muck that you do not want to have to deal with. Plus, your system will function better overall. Some companies like Garside Sewer & Septic Service LLC, know that you should have your septic tank cleaned out every one to five years depending on the size of your household. This will increase the septic system’s lifespan and lower the risk of the system failing. By the way, if the system fails, it can cost thousands of dollars to repair. Getting the system pumped costs maybe a couple of hundred dollars. The secret is not to pump the tank too often, because draining it will cause the otherwise beneficial bacteria to enter your leach field. This can cause the system to fail.

Don’t Use Harsh Chemicals

Though you can get away with using those caustic drain cleaners now and then, you should not rely on them every time there’s a problem with your drains. This is because these chemicals kill bacteria. Try baking soda and vinegar flushed with hot water if you have a clog.

A septic system can last for decades if it is well maintained. The above suggestions are simple to do and inexpensive. They will help if you want your septic tank to achieve its 20 to 30-year lifespan or longer.

Author Bio

Anita is a freelance writer from Denver, CO. She studied at Colorado State University, and now writes articles about health, business, family and finance. A mother of two, she enjoys traveling with her family whenever she isn’t writing. You can follow her on Twitter @anitaginsburg.