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When it comes to your septic system, too much water can mean trouble. A septic system must be able to process and filter all the water from your household, which can overwhelm the system when water is wasted. Too much water in a twenty-four hour period can overload the system, especially when the soil is not able to absorb the amount of waste water coming through the pipes. This can rush the retention time and end in a system failure. To prevent this type of problem, use water conversation methods to ensure you are not over-taxing your system.

• Water efficient fixtures – Replace older shower heads and toilets with water efficient models that can reduce the amount of water your family uses each day.
• Stagger showers and laundry loads – Try to stagger laundry loads over several days instead of doing several loads all in one day. In addition, try to schedule bath and showers at different times of the day.
• Fix all leaks – A dripping faucet or running toilet can add gallons of extra water every day to your septic system. Fix all plumbing issues as soon as possible to reduce the strain of excess water flow through your pipes and septic.
• Prepare for guests – If you know you are expecting guests, try to reduce the water load in the days before their arrival.
• Reduce running water – Be mindful of running water for no reason. For example, instead of letting water run to get cold, keep a pitcher of drinking water in the fridge.

Any way that you can reduce the amount of water you use can help reduce the stress on your septic system. In addition, make sure you are scheduling regular inspections and septic tank pumping by your local septic service to increase the life of your septic system.

Posted on behalf of Keith Lee, Metro Septic and Plumbing

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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.

Most American homes that do not have municipal sewer service use a septic system to treat and dispose of household waste water.  The waste water is routed to a septic tank where it is held for about 48 hours to allow the solid material to separate from the liquid and settle to the bottom of the tank.

The liquid effluent flows to the drain field and leaches into the soil where it is treated and purified through natural biological action.  Most of the solid material left in the tank is decomposed by bacteria, but over time a layer of sludge accumulates and must be pumped out of the tank.  The frequency of septic tank pumping varies, but every three to five years is common.

Most septic systems have no electrical components and very few moving parts.  They are usually very reliable systems unless they have been abused through overloading, failing to have the tank pumped, or flushing chemicals or non-organic material down the drain.

Raw sewage backing up into your home is an obvious indication that there is a problem with your septic system, but there are other more subtle signs that a problem may be developing.  For example, smelly, wet, mushy areas around the drain field are an indication of a clogged septic field.  Strong sewage odors in the drain lines or around the septic tank are cause for concern as are slow drains.

If you notice any of these problems, have the septic system checked out by a sewer septic professional right away.  Septic system problems usually get worse over time and you may be able to avoid more expensive repairs by addressing the problem as soon as you notice it.