Helpful Home Tips

In order to ensure that your septic system will work properly, there are various maintenance techniques that can be employed to ensure longevity for your septic system.  It is important to recognize that proper maintenance can not only improve septic system performance, but it can also reduce health risks.  Some health risks that can be avoided are well water contamination and strong foul odors.

This blog post will highlight actions that you can take both in and out of the home to ensure proper performance from your septic system.

Home Interior Maintenance Tips for Septic Systems

1.Water Conservation

Septic systems thrive on a balance of water, waste and bacteria, if there is excess water in the system it can increase the amount of time required for beneficial bacteria to break down waste and waste by products.  Be sure to check for leaks on a monthly basis.

2.Eliminate Leaks

Be sure to complete a thorough check of your entire waste water removal system to ensure that there are no leaks.  A septic system can be compromised by a leaky toilet.

3.Excessive Simultaneous Water Usage

Be sure to effectively manage peak hours of water usage throughout your home.  Significant water usage in the home can wreak havoc on a septic system, and is considered to be the number one source of problems in septic systems.  Also, in order to ensure enjoyable holidays, be cautious with the frequency of showers taken, when guests are in the home.

4.Reduce the Number of Solids in the Septic System

Garbage disposals should be used judiciously as they can significantly increase the amount of solid matter found in a septic system.  The larger and more solid an object is, the more difficult it is for the septic system to operate.  A good rule of thumb is to place most objects into the trash can, and if you decide against this, be prepared to pump your septic system on a more consistent basis.

Here is a list of other solid objects to avoid flushing down drains or toilets:

-Diapers

-Tampons

-Sanitary Napkins

-Coffee Grounds

-Cigarettes

-Cloth

-Kitty Litter

-Plastic

The following items listed below, while not solids…can seriously impact and clog drain field soils.

-Oils

-Grease

-Fat

-Paint Thinner

-Pesticides

-Motor Oils

-Chemicals

The following items should never be used in excess.

-Bleach

-Paint

5.Commercial Products

In order to keep this simple, all of the bacteria that is needed to decompose waste found in your septic system occurs naturally…in your body, there is no need to add to that.

Home Exterior

1.Oversaturation

Avoid oversaturation of grasses and grounds around or above the septic system as it can extend the amount of time needed for the bacteria to work.

2.Excessive Soil Compaction

Avoid excessive soil compaction above the septic system, as it can negatively affect soil drainage, and it also increases the risk of broken pipes.

3.Maintain Proper Groundcover

Be sure to have extensive grass and shallow root shrubs and plants in order to eliminate soil erosion.

If the recommendations above are followed, then a septic system should not need to be pumped more than once every two to five years.

Information provided by-Birmingham Septic System Repair