Getting the most out of your septic tank is a high priority for most home owners who have a septic tank. Although you will always need septic service eventually, taking the right day-to-day precautions will help your septic system last many years. In this article, we’ll talk about septic maintenance that you can do inside the house.
So, what should you do to keep your septic system in top form? Septic maintenance begins in the house. For starters, you should never put too much water into the septic system. About 50 gallons per day for each person in the household is about typical. Conserve water in the following ways:
- Take showers instead of baths
- Repair leaky faucets
- Wash clothes only when you have a full load, or choose the small load setting on your washer
- Don’t wash more than one load of clothes a day to avoid overloading your septic system
- Don’t let water run when brushing your teeth, washing dishes, hands, vegetables, etc.
- Install a water saving device in your toilet tank and don’t flush unnecessarily
What else should you do to keep your system working properly? Let’s look at items you should never flush down the toilet:
- Facial tissue (Kleenex)
- Paper towels
- Kitty litter
- Disposable diapers
- Sanitary napkins
- Tampons
- Coffee grounds
- Cigarette butts
You get the idea. In fact, the only things you should flush down a toilet are human waste, toilet paper, and water.
You may be wondering what sort of toilet paper is best. Well, there are few brands of toilet paper, if any, that are NOT safe for your septic system. Most toilet paper breaks down quickly and easily.
Now let’s take a look at your drains. There are also restrictions on the types of substances you can safely put down your drains. The following should never be put in your septic system, but disposed of in a proper way:
- Varnish
- Paint thinners
- Paint
- Insecticides
- Motor oil
- Gasoline
- Other hazardous liquids
Also, keep the use of heavy chemical cleaners to a minimum. Harsh chemical cleaners can kill the helpful bacteria in your septic system. Ordinary use of common household cleaners is usually not a problem.
You should also never pour grease or cooking oil down your drain. Put leftover grease in a container and throw it out with the solid garbage when it gets full. Grease can clog your septic system’s drainfield, making it difficult for the soil to absorb liquids from the septic tank. A new drainfield will be in order if that happens.
You also have to watch what you put in your garbage disposal. First, buy a quality garbage disposal that grinds food into tiny particles that your septic tank can handle. Large scraps should be taken out with the garbage or composted.
If you follow the above rules, you should keep your septic service at a minimum. In a future article, we’ll look at steps you can take on the exterior of your home to further your septic maintenance. Remember, Sunset Septic is here to help you with all your septic questions.
