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Septic Pumping: 8 Tips for Maintaining Your Septic System

VWB Blog 2 years ago 29

According to the EPA, more than one in five homes in the US have septic systems to treat their wastewater. This translates to about 60 million people with septic tanks instead of conventional sewer systems.

While septic tanks do a great job of processing and purifying household waste, they require a lot of work to keep them in tip-top shape. Since they’re constantly in use, maintaining your septic tank systems is a never-ending job. Besides the occasional septic pumping, there are tons of other septic tank maintenance tasks you need to cross off your checklist.

If you need help maintaining your septic tank system, you’re in the right place. In today’s post, we’ll be highlighting a couple of amazing tips for maintaining your septic tank system. That way, you can keep it in pristine condition and extend its lifespan.

1. Don’t Flush Foreign Items Down the Drain

It’s not uncommon for people to flush anything they can down their drains and toilets. While it’s an easy way to get rid of items, it does more harm than good. For ultimate preventive care, avoid flushing foreign objects down the toilet.

Some of these items include:

  • Tampons
  • Paper towels
  • diapers
  • Napkins
  • Cotton swabs

Don’t flush anything that shouldn’t go down the toilet or drain. Doing so only damages your pipes and could lead to blockages that are costly to repair.

What’s more, don’t assume that you can pour all types of liquids down your drains. Hazardous chemicals like chemical cleaners, acids, paints, and paint thinners should go nowhere near the drains. These also damage the pipes and lead to corrosion.

2. Pump Your Septic Tank Regularly

It’s necessary to pump your septic tanks to clean out solid waste and prevent blockages in the system. As a rule of thumb, you should consider pumping out your tank every three years. However, households with higher water usage should do so more often.

There are plenty of septic pumping services that can help you pump out your septic tank. However, for WA septic tank pumping, you’ll need to find the best septic tank pumping services in the region. You can view more info here about the same.

3. Reduce Your Water Consumption

Reducing how much water you use is not only great for the environment but also for your septic tank. Do your best to cut down on how much water you use every day. If you can’t, at least avoid using too much water within a short period.

That way, you can ensure effective drainage of water to your septic tank system. You don’t want a situation where you have a backflow of water because of insufficient drainage. Avoid running the shower, dishwasher, and washing machine simultaneously, or you might overwhelm your septic tank system.

4. Check the System for Leaks

When was the last time you inspected your septic tank system for leaks? If your answer is a few years ago, then you’re doing it wrong.

The only way you can tell whether your septic system has any leaks is by visually inspecting it. Leaks can occur at any time, and it’s up to you to keep your eyes peeled for any signs of a septic tank leak.

Walk around the region near the septic tank and check for areas with abnormal growth or lush green patches of grass. Also, sniff around for strong sewage smells or visible puddles of sewage waste. All of these are telltale signs of a septic tank leak.

5. Install an Effluent Filter

If you’re tired of frequent clogs in your septic tank system, you should consider installing an effluent filter. This is a septic tank component that helps to filter out solids and other materials from sewage water before it enters the leach field.

Effluent filters are easy to install and use, and they don’t require too much maintenance. The only thing you need to do is ensure that you clean the filter regularly.

Install an effluent filter the next time you pump out your septic tank, and clogs will be a thing of the past.

6. Don’t Forget the Bacteria Additive

All the waste from your kitchen and toilet doesn’t just sit in the tank, waiting for you to pump it out. Instead, it settles at the bottom of the septic tank where bacteria breaks it down completely.

Unfortunately, the powerful cleaning agents and antibacterial soap we use to clean our sinks destroy this bacteria. To keep a healthy supply of bacteria, you’ll need to add some of your own. Regularly add bacteria to help break down organic matter and keep your septic tank in great shape.

Some species of bacteria can even break down unnatural substances like soap and detergent. Just be sure that the bacteria you add is actually beneficial to the system.

7. Cordone the Area Around Your Tank

Cordone the area around your tank to protect it from physical damage. Your septic tank won’t be any good if it’s damaged. So do your best to protect the area around the tank to maintain its integrity.

Also, don’t plant large trees and shrubs around the septic tank. The trees’ roots might seek out the organic matter in the tank and destroy it. If you’re planting any trees, plant them 100 feet away from the tank.

8. Divert Surface Water Away From Your Septic Tank

Surface water can seep into your septic tank and damage it. To protect your septic tank, divert all surface water away from it. The best way to do this is to install a French drain.

A French drain is a drainage system that helps direct water away from problem areas, like septic tanks. It’s a simple but effective solution to the surface water problem, and it can help you avoid septic tank damage.

Septic Pumping and Maintenance Made Easy

A septic tank can be immensely beneficial to your home, but only if you take good care of it. Use the above tips to ensure your septic tank remains in tip-top shape and lasts a lifetime. Also, don’t forget to arrange for septic pumping every three years and leave the work to a reputable septic pumping company.

For more informative content, please check out the other posts on the site.To find out more about wastewater management visit Cleanawater

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