3 Things To Do For Your Septic System

Residential septic systems play an important role in the treatment of wastewater. Without a functional septic system, you would have no way of separating solid and liquid waste products before they are released into the environment.

Caring for your septic system properly will help to extend the life of the system and ensure that it runs efficiently well into the future.

1. Invest in annual inspections.

Although there are some tell-tale signs of septic problems that you can identify, some of the issues facing your septic system can only be addressed by a professional.

Annual inspections ensure that any potential problems with your septic tank or drainfield are identified early. Catching these problems early means that you can repair any components in need of repair to avoid a serious septic disaster from compromising your home's functionality in the future.

2. Watch what you put down your drains.

Preventative septic tank maintenance can eliminate a lot of the problems that you might be faced with over time. One of the easiest ways that you can invest in preventative maintenance is to be mindful of the things that are going down the drains in your home. You should never put grease, fats, or oils down your drain when you have a septic system. These substances can clog up your septic tank and cause it to fill prematurely.

You also want to avoid the use of harsh cleaners or antibacterial soaps. Your septic system relies on a colony of bacteria living in the septic tank to help process waste. Abrasive chemicals and antibacterial products can negatively affect the bacteria colony and compromise your septic system's ability to break down waste.

3. Stay off your drainfield.

Once the solid waste has been filtered out of your wastewater, the remaining liquids are funneled into a drainfield for treatment. It's important that you know where your drainfield is located so that you can avoid driving heavy machinery over the top of it. Driving over your drainfield can compact the soil and make it impossible for liquid waste to be absorbed.

You also want to avoid planting any shrubs or trees near the drainfield, as the roots from this type of foliage could penetrate the drainfield's pipes and cause your septic system to malfunction.

If you are unsure where your drainfield is located, ask your local permit office for a copy of the original permit for your septic system. This permit will have a diagram showing the location of each component within your septic system. 


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