What NOT to Put in a Septic Tank

Septic systems are an excellent method of disposing the wastewater from a home. Other than routine septic tank pumping, they are relatively maintenance free and they are designed to last for thirty years or longer. However, it is very important that everyone in the home knows what not to pour down the drain and flush down the toilet in order to extend the life of your septic system.

The septic system relies on naturally occurring bacteria to properly breakdown the waste that accumulates in the tank. Care should be taken when choosing cleaning products such as toilet bowl cleaners, shower cleaners, kitchen cleaners, etc. because these will enter in the drainage pipes and wind up in the septic tank. Some cleaning products can be harmful to the bacteria in the septic tank and can kill them and prevent them from doing their job of breaking down the waste. Bleach and ammonia should never be poured directly down the drain because they can wreak havoc on the natural balance of bacteria and filtration in the septic system.

Fats, oils, and grease should also not be put in the drain. These substances are known to clog drains and septic tanks, causing major backup issues within the home’s plumbing and septic systems. By taking means to dispose fats, oils, and grease from cooking into a canister (an old coffee can for instance), the life of a septic tank can be preserved.

People should also avoid using their toilet as a trash can. Diapers, feminine products, condoms, cat litter, leftovers, and other non-biodegradable materials should never be flushed down the toilet. These materials can kill off the beneficial bacterial in the septic system and can clog the system causing the need for major repairs.

Using common sense and care to avoid disposing of harmful and non-biodegradable materials down the drain is a great way to preserve the life and function of a septic system.

Posted on behalf of Septic Service Pro

How Often Should You Have Your Septic System Pumped?

If you are accustomed to the thought-free ease of city sewer systems, and have recently purchased a home with a septic system, this is a question for which you need an answer! Do not, however, lose sleepless nights fretting about how to care for your septic system. There is really relatively little maintenance beyond learning what not to put down your pipes, and the occasional pumping done by your local septic sewer service professional.

Your septic tank, in essence, is a self-contained wastewater treatment system through which all the water flows from the drains in your home. As the water enters the tank, liquids are separated from solids, the liquid is pumped out into a drainage field while the solids collect on the bottom. Natural bacteria in the tank continues to breakdown the solids, but eventually they will accumulate until they need to be pumped out. How frequently your septic tank requires pumping depends on several factors including the size of the tank, the size of your family (how many people are utilizing water for showers, toilets, laundry, etc.), whether or not you have a garbage disposal and the care you take in preventing the disposal of non-biodegradable waste through your plumbing.

If you have not already established a historical pattern with your septic system that gives you an idea of when septic tank pumping is needed, you may wish to have your septic professional inspect the system yearly to ensure that it is functioning properly and to measure the amount of sludge in the tank. It is recommended that when the sludge level reaches within 6 inches of the outlet pipe, it should be pumped. On average, most septic systems are pumped every one to three years.

 

Problems With Your Septic System?

A well maintained septic system is one of the best ways to ensure that you will not have to face the expensive cost of extensive repairs and replacement. Make water conservation a conscious effort such as only using the correct size of laundry cycle for the size of your load, spreading that laundry out over a period of several days instead of doing it all at once, using low flow faucet screens and high energy toilets.

It is also a good idea to filter all your washing machine discharge water, as common household lint is non-biodegradable. Make it a stringent household rule that nothing goes into the toilet or out a drain except what is biodegradable, and that includes chemicals. All chemicals should be prohibitive as they can disrupt the natural bacterial breakdown of the household waste in your septic tank. Finally, most importantly, get your septic tank pumped and inspected by your local septic professional every three to five years, or every year if you are using a garbage disposal.

Having done all of the above, how will you know if you are beginning to experience problems with your septic tank? Walk around your property occasionally and take care to notice anything unusual such as pooled, muddy, soil in the area of your tank or drainage field when there hasn’t been any rain. The smell of sewage around your property or in your home would warrant a call to your plumbing or septic professional, as well as frequent back-ups of water in your showers or toilets when doing laundry, etc. Also, having to get your septic tank pumped out too frequently is a sign that it is failing and should possibly be replaced.

How a Septic System Works

When a house isn’t served by a public sewer system, or it’s too far removed to be serviced by one, it usually relies on a septic system in order to handle and dispose of its waste, both of water and other matter. It’s a significant investment that requires regular care, but a well maintained septic system can offer years of service at low cost, while still being reliable to its owners.

On the other hand, a system that fails or breaks down can become a health concern, can cause both surface and subsurface pollution (which may affect the water you drink, among other things), and can also cause property damage or even disease. Replacing a failing septic tank or system can cost thousands of dollars, and can even interfere with selling your home if it isn’t taken care of.

Although the inner workings of a septic system might be complicated and involved, it’s important to know the basic way that it works. Any standard septic system has three main parts: the tank, the drain field, and the soil of the surrounding area. These three parts all work in tandem for the disposal of waste material. 

The tank’s purpose is to help separate solid matter from wastewater, in order to store and help to partially decompose as much of the solid material as it can, while permitting the liquid matter to continue on to the drain field. After solid waste matter remains inside the tank, the liquid wastewater continues on to the drain field. The soil below the drain field provides the method of disposal. The waste water passes into the soil, and is broken down over time.  Since solid material accumulates in the septic tank, septic tank pumping is necessary every 3 to 5 years to remove the accumulation.