Always Follow These 4 Septic Tank Rules

If you live somewhere that uses a septic system, it is important that you know the proper ways to use a septic tank. You might need to learn these things if you are used to using a sewer system. Here are some important rules to follow when you have a septic tank at home.

Know What Not to Put Down the Drain

You need to be careful about what you put down the drains and toilet of your home when you have a septic system. If you are used to using as much water as you want since you used to have a home with a sewer system, it is time to get used to a new lifestyle. The system can only handle so much water at a time, so stop the habit of doing a month's worth of laundry over a single weekend. You need to spread it out by doing laundry every few days instead of all at once. Also make sure no household chemicals and harsh cleaners, cigarette butts, oil and grease, or paper products go down the drains or toilet aside from toilet paper.

Keep Rainwater From the Drainfield

Having a drainfield that is too soggy and wet can be another problem, so you don't want to overload it. Start by keeping an excessive amount of rainwater from the drainfield. You can do this with better draining of your entire yard, including adding roof gutters and downspouts that go into large can to collect the water, or having foundation drains installed. Also make sure you have plumbing leaks fixed right away so you don't end up with a flood of water in the drainfield.

Avoid Tree Growth Near the Septic Tank

Your landscaping can also make a difference in the health of your septic system. Some trees have very aggressive roots when they begin to grow, which can cause them to grow toward the septic system and cause major damage. If your tank gets cracked from tree roots, it will likely have to be replaced completely. Trees may also affect your drainfield in a negative way. Try to keep trees a safe distance from the septic tank, especially trees like willows, which have roots that tend to cause a lot of damage.

Have the Tank Pumped Regularly

The solid waste in your septic tank will eventually start building up, and might overflow if you don't have the tank pumped on a regular basis. Contact a plumber like Bunbury Plumbing and Gas to discuss how often it should be pumped. The frequency may vary based on how many people are in your household and the size of your septic tank. They will also clean out the tank after pumping it, which reduces pests and mildew.