Septic systems or septic tanks are spaces beneath the ground that are used to get rid of all the water wastage in a household. In other words, all the wastewater travels through a septic pipe and to the septic tank. Now, the septic system is an integral part of your household because it keeps your water clean ultimately keeping your health and wellness maintained.
Everyone who has a water tank should understand how to maintain it which can be a daunting task for many. Like any other part of the household, the septic tank also needs maintenance and attention from time to time. So, how exactly do you maintain a septic tank? Keep reading to find out!
Lookout for Signs
It can be easy to spot when your septic system has been damaged or needs attention. Some of the signs include drains draining less efficiently, toilets flushing slowly, foul odor, and wastewater coming back into the house. Another sign is green grass growing around or near the drain field. If you notice any of these problems persisting, you probably need to have a look at your septic tank.
Use Only The Water You Need
Since all the wastewater from the household ends up in the septic tank, it is important to know an excess of it can ruin the natural balance. This, in turn, disrupts the functioning of the essential microorganisms in the water. An excess of water can also cause flooding.
Apart from your water usage, there are many other ways in which you can use water more efficiently. You can use flush-free toilets, repair any leaking faucets, or even have water conserving showers installed in your home.
Waste Disposal
Whatever goes down the drain has an impact on your whole septic system. This is why you should never flush anything down the toilet you aren’t supposed to. Things like cigarette butts, oil, grease, and sanitary pads should never be flushed down the toilet.
Not only can it damage the tank but it can have more adverse effects like flooding, pipe bursts, and more. These things might kill the vital microorganisms in the soil and the septic tank. It can also contaminate groundwater.
Chemicals are Harmful to the Septic System
Many household cleaning supplies such as drain cleaners, toilet bowl cleaners, polishes, coatings, floor cleaners, etc. can kill the microorganisms in the septic system. Furthermore, it also hinders the ability of the system to treat and clean waste effectively. So, try using no or minimal chemical materials.
Don’t Drain Food Down the System
People often throw little pieces of food or leftovers down the drain. This can be extremely damaging to the septic system for several reasons. Food can stick in the pipe which will cause water to drain slowly, risking a flood.
Secondly, if food pieces are too big, it can clog a drain and can cause the pipe to burst. Over time, this causes serious damage to the septic system by disturbing the natural balance. So, make sure to throw leftovers or little food pieces in the bin before you put them in the sink!
Regular Inspection and Maintenance
Regular inspections and maintenance are a must for all septic tanks as it helps you make sure you are making the most out of your septic system and keep your water clean and healthy!
And this is where we come in! At Flamingo Plumbing & Backflow, we’ve got all your plumbing needs covered. From general plumbing issues to construction plumbing, we’ve got it all! If you need plumbing assistance or a quick diagnosis of your plumbing system, we at Flamingo Plumbing and backflow can help.