What You Can Do To Extend the Life of Your Septic System

You may be familiar with the importance of septic system pump-outs and inspections, but did you know that there are several preventative measures you can be employing daily to keep your septic system healthy and functional? If you are looking for a way to extend the life of your septic system and avoid the need for costly repairs, it is important to eliminate potentially damaging habits and replace them with good ones that will preserve your system. Septic systems, while usually sturdy, are far from invincible, and treating yours as if it is will end up costing you money.

Avoid Putting Food Down the Sink or Garbage Disposal

Everything that you wash down your sink will reach your septic tank, and your tank is not designed to deal with certain types of waste. If you want to avoid the need for repairs, be sure to avoid the temptation to put food, coffee grounds, egg shells and other waste down your garbage disposal. As powerful as most garbage disposals are, they cannot turn all waste into pulp that is safe for a septic tank.

Know What You Can and Cannot Flush

Waste water and toilet paper are the only two things that you should be flushing down the toilet. Sanitary products and baby wipes, while commonly flushed, can quickly clog up the septic tank and necessitate more frequent pump-outs. Beware of flushing anything other than toilet paper, even if it is disposable.

Avoid Flushing or Pouring Toxic Materials Down the Drain

Do you use commercial cleaning products in your shower or your toilet? While cleaning the surfaces of your fixtures with powerful chemicals is great for creating a bacteria-free zone, disinfectants and chemicals that are washed down the drain can actually damage your septic tank. A septic tank service in Raleigh, NC advises that homeowners try to use chemical-free and organic cleaning products in small amounts to prevent unnecessary damage to their septic system.

Learn How to Conserve Water

The more you use your septic system, the more likely it is to malfunction. If you use large amounts of water in a short period of time, it is much more likely that the drainfield will clog. Conserve water and try to balance your water usage throughout the week to avoid overburdening the drainfield all at once.

If you invest in maintenance and adjust your habits, you can easily extend the life of your septic system. Keep these tips in mind, and protect your system so that it lasts as long as it possibly can. As they say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.