Here are my top 8 tips on getting the most out of your septic tank.

1. HAVE YOUR SEPTIC TANK PUMPED OUT REGULARLY!

Regularly scheduled septic cleanings removes the sludge and scum buildup in your septic tank, saving your drainfield from unwanted wear and tear. These cleanings also allow us to examine your system and inform you of any malfunctions.

2. DO NOT PUT THESE ITEMS IN YOUR SEPTIC TANK!

Paper Towels, Coffee Grounds, Cigarette Butts, Fats and Oils, Paints and Chemicals, Tampons, Condoms, Napkins, and Diapers all disasterous to your system.

These items are not environmental friendly and do not belong in your septic system. They belong in the GARBAGE! Many of these items (tampons, condoms, diapers, paper towels, and napkins) are also frequently the cause of plugged sewer lines. Fats and oils also have a propensity to clog the drainage lines into the septic tank. These items are not always washed into the septic tank with other wastewater. They often remain in the pipes and harden as they dry out; reducing the water flow into the septic tank.

3. DO NOT USE A GARBAGE DISPOSAL IF YOU HAVE A SEPTIC TANK!!

Garbage disposals decrease the effectiveness of your septic tank by increasing the amount of solid material in the septic tank and decreasing its capacity. The natural forming bacteria, from your digestive systems, in your septic system will break down septic waste but they will not help decompose food particles. A different strain of bacteria, which is not found in septic tanks, is required to break down these materials. Many people with garbage disposals end up with drainfield problems because food particles seep into the drainfield and clog the pipes and surrounding soil.

4. AVOID DUMPING CHEMICALS (INCLUDING DRANO) AND BACTERIAL ENZYMES INTO YOUR SEPTIC SYSTEM.

Chemicals and bacterial enzymes disrupt the existing bacterial balance inherent to your septic system. This will result in more frequent septic cleanings as the sludge level in the septic tank increases at a higher rate.

5. TRY TO AVOID PLANTING TREES AROUND YOUR SEPTIC TANK AND DRAINFIELD!!

Tree roots are one of the major contributors to failed septic systems. Tree roots infest the pipes leading to your septic tank or drainfield and often restrict flow completely through these drain lines. Roots can also damage septic tanks, causing cracks and breaking the baffles inside the septic tank.

6. DO NOT DRIVE VEHICLES OR BUILD A SHED ON YOUR SEPTIC SYSTEM!!

These activities cause the ground to settle unevenly which can result in collapsed and broken pipes. Driving over a septic tank with anything larger than a lawnmower can cause the tank to cave in.

7. SEPTIC TANKS ARE NOT TOYS!!

They are not meant to be played on or played with. Septic tanks contain large amounts of liquid human waste full of disease causing bacteria. Poisonous gases (hydrogen sulfide and methane) can be found in varying volumes inside a septic tank. Over 1,200 people die annually in septic tank related deaths. Please leave septic tank maintenance to the care of a professional.

8. KNOW THE LOCATION OF YOUR SEPTIC TANK!!

This allows you to monitor your tank in between cleanings. You can look for water build up, odors, and anything unusual in the area. It also makes our job a little bit easier when the homeowner knows the location of their septic tank. Many people ask us to install risers on their septic systems. This creates an easy access point for septic maintenance and eliminates the time, effort, and money involved in digging up one of the covers on your system.

Need more information then give us a call! We are here to help!

This entry was posted on Saturday, February 12th, 2011 at 11:52 am and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.