If your home’s plumbing includes a septic system, then you must take steps to protect it. When your septic system fails, it can be expensive to repair while inconveniencing you and your family. By using several safeguards, you can prevent your septic system from malfunctioning.
The first step is to decrease your home’s water use. Each person living in your home will use from 100 to 200 gallons of water every day. You can also purchase several water reducing products for your home such as toilets and showerheads.
Other steps you can take for water reduction include loading cleaning appliances to capacity before you begin a cycle. Also, when you hand wash dishes, be sure to turn off your kitchen faucet after you rinse.
Garbage disposals are handy devices. However, with a septic system, you may reconsider installing one. A garbage disposal will eliminate large sections of waste into your septic system. Often, septic plumping is older, and if yours does not have modern enhancements to handle food waste, then this debris may cause problems.
Septic systems feature bacteria, which will break down waste. In most cases, the bacterium is unable to handle food waste, and as a result, your tank will become full of solid debris. With a large amount of solid waste, you’ll need to clean your system more often.
You should also avoid pouring chemicals into your septic system such as grease, household cleaners and gasoline. When harmful substances enter your system’s plumbing, it can be destructive. Also, liquid chemicals may cause your system to fill up more quickly and produce clogged pipes.
Review your home’s landscaping and make sure that trees or bushes are not growing near your septic system’s tank, plumbing or lines. When plants grow around your septic system, their roots will most likely enter your system, which will cause extensive damage. With tree roots, your septic tank could crack, and your plumbing may clog. Your system will be unusable with this level of damage. When you add landscaping around your septic system, you should only grow grass.
Do not drive a vehicle over any portion of your septic system including the tank, plumbing or the lines. Your septic system is durable. However, it will not hold up against the immense weight of a car, truck or tractor. A high amount of weight can destroy your system’s drain lines or break your tank.
With a little extra caution, you can ensure that your septic system safely stores your home’s plumbing debris for many years.
Rigette Saycon regularly writes articles for All About the Pipes Plumbing Inc., an award-winning Gastonia plumbing company.
Protect Your Septic System
