3 Tips on How to Extend Your Septic System’s Life

Replacing a septic system can be a major expense. Depending on the size and other factors, a septic replacement can cost $10,000 or more. If you own a home with a septic system, you want to ensure your system will last as long as possible. With regular maintenance and preventive care, many septic systems can last for decades. Here are three tips to get the longest life from your septic system.

  1. Reduce waste. The more miles your car drives, the quicker it will need service or repair. The same is true for your septic system. The more waste it must process, the quicker equipment will wear out. Consider employing waste-reduction tactics in your home. Don’t use a garbage disposal – that puts too much solid waste down the drain. Use water efficient fixtures and keep water use low.
  2. Protect your system. One of the biggest causes of failure in septic systems is clogged or broken sewer lines. Make sure you keep heavy equipment and vehicles off your yard where sewer lines and the drain field are located. A broken pipe can back up the system and lead to septic failure.
  3. Regular maintenance. One of the best ways to extend the life of your septic system is with regular maintenance. Like your car, your septic system needs service. Replacing equipment as needed, cleaning out sewer lines with hydro-jetting and regular pumping from your septic professional can prevent damage to the system and prevent septic emergencies.

Investing in preventive care for your septic system is a worthwhile expenditure, especially when it can delay the need for a septic replacement. You can extend your septic system’s life by many years, saving you thousands of dollars.

Posted on behalf of:
Metro Septic LLC 1210 N Tennessee St
Cartersville, GA 30120
(678) 873-7934

 

Toilet Tips for Your Septic System

The toilet can be the biggest single factor in keeping your septic system healthy and working correctly. Since larger items can be flushed down, it has the potential to cause issues in your septic system. Ensuring you don’t put the wrong items down your toilet can help save on septic repair bills and other costs associated with maintaining your septic system. Here are a few septic system tips to help keep your septic system working great.

  • Use septic-safe toilet paper. It is important to get toilet paper that will breakdown easily in your septic system. Make sure the toilet paper you buy and use specifically says it is septic-safe.
  • Keep in mind that cleaners can harm the bacteria content in your septic tank that are needed to breakdown solids. Use toilet cleaners that are biodegradable – try to stay away from harsh chemicals like chlorine. There are natural options like vinegar and baking soda that can work well without hurting the septic system.
  • Educate kids. Kids need to know what can and cannot be flushed down the toilet. Cotton balls, swabs, feminine hygiene products and anything that is not biodegradable should not be flushed. Kids like to put toys and other items in the toilet and watch them swirl down – make sure they understand that this is not ok and can be detrimental to your septic system.
  • Slow toilets. If your toilet is flushing slow, it can be a sign that you have a clog or its time for a septic pumping. Watch for slow toilets and get the issue checked out by a septic plumber.

Following these septic system tips will help save you money on septic system repairs and extend the life of your septic system.

Septic Systems: What You Need To Know

Septic systems are a fairly common part of many American households and consist of a septic tank and a drain field, also sometimes referred to as a leach field. The tank is buried underground and can be installed in either the front of the backyard so long as there is sufficient room for both the tank and the drain field. It is not recommended to place anything heavy such as a car or machinery above the tank so you should keep the space clear. Additionally it will not possible to build or install any features such as a swimming pool close to the drain field.

The septic tank is where all of your waste water from the kitchen, bathrooms and laundry room will end up. Once there the waste is separated with solids remaining in the tank and liquid known as effluent is allowed to flow out of the tank and into the drain field. The effluent is then filtered as it percolates down through the soil where bacteria and viruses are removed.

There are certain things that must be done in order to properly maintain your septic system and one of the most important ones is to have the tank pumped on a regular basis. The frequency of septic tank pumping depends on a number of factors including the size of the tank and the amount of waste produced by your household.

Certain things should not be put into the system or you run the risk of causing damage such as feminine hygiene products and cigarette butts. Cooking oil should be disposed of in the garbage rather than down the drains and try not to use excessive amounts of water as this can cause the system to fail.