Septic Tank and Septic System Maintenance


If you are using septic tank instead of sewer connection, you need to properly maintain and care for it. You may not like the sound but you need to keep your septic tank well-maintained.

Proper landscaping is one crucial element in the upkeep of the septic system. When constructing your septic tank, make sure that the soil absorption area is far from rainwater drainage or downspouts. Make sure that it is not underneath your garage and areas where you will put heavy equipment. Divert the water coming from other means away from the septic tank drainfield. Do not construct your septic tank near a tree or areas where soil erosion can easily occur. Roots from the trees can get through and damage your septic tank.

Dispose chemicals and other liquid materials properly, this is one key reason for failure of septic system, many septic tanks have failed because of lack of attention to the materials disposed in it. Gasoline, paint thinners, motor oil, varnish, and other chemicals that contain active substances can ruin your septic tank walls and can cause hazard to groundwater as well. Make sure you dispose them properly and away from your septic tank system. Also, grease can easily clog in your septic tank so make sure you steer away from disposing them in your toilet.

Differentiate the toilet from garbage cans always, if you own a septic tank you know that you will need to take care with all your garbage and waste, even if it means that you will need to inform any visitor in your house about it. Cigarette butts and filters facial tissues, paper towels, coffee grounds, sanitary napkins, disposable diapers, tampons, cat litter, and other solid waste must be disposed in your garbage bins and not on your toilet. They clog to your septic tank easily.

Cleaning products are also a potential problem, heavy duty cleaners sometimes do their work all too well and cause other problems, you should make sure that your cleaning product is safe to use and that it may kill significant bacteria but can prolong the decomposition of solid waste. Use them properly.

Do not flush left over foods

Left over foods can decompose in time when flushed to your septic tank, food left at the drainage can nonetheless clog your drainage and cause serious trouble. Keep your leftovers on separate disposal container. This will extent the service of your septic tank.

Conserve water

Lowering your water consumption can help maintain a proper-functioning septic tank. Use your dishwasher only if it is full; reduce your water level when washing small amount of laundry; use aerators or flow reducer nozzles to conserve water, check for water leaks on your faucet and repair if necessary; and use a displacer to reduce the amount of water flushed on your toilet.

Septic tanks and Septic systems are used in places that don?t have a direct access to the sewer system, there are new and very advanced models of septic systems for the home


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