A septic tank is a necessity in many American households and knowing how to properly maintain one is crucial if you have never previously had one. Even those who have had one installed in their household before can benefit from using certain tips and techniques in order to prolong the lifespan of their septic system.
Proper septic tank maintenance is necessary for both the septic tank and the drain field. In addition, making conscientious decisions and actions when it comes to your water use and waste disposal habits is the key to long and healthy use of your septic system.
The main thing that should be considered at all times by every member of the household is what you are putting into the system. Avoid putting any materials or chemicals into the system including sanitary napkins, cigarette butts and even cleaning products. Chemicals contained in cleaning products can upset the balance of the bacteria within the tank and make the breaking down of waste products less effective.
Grease and fat should be disposed of in the garbage rather than down the drain and try not to over use your garbage disposal. Being conscientious about how much water is used by the household can also help to prolong the life of the system so try not to use excessive amounts in short periods of time.
Avoid driving heavy machinery or cars on top of the tank and septic field and make sure there is enough land and soil surrounding the leach field to properly filter out the effluent. You can save time and money spent on emergency repairs by having your tank serviced periodically to ensure that every thing is working properly and efficiently. Regular septic tank inspections and septic tank pumping is necessary to remove the solids that have accumulated in the septic tank.
