When maintained properly, your septic system can last for many years. Without taking the proper steps to care for your system, though, you could wind up facing costly repairs. The team at King’s Sanitary Service wants to help their customers in the area of Bristolville, Ohio, extend the lifetime of their septic systems for as long as possible.

To keep your system working efficiently, their knowledgeable team shares three septic tank maintenance tips below.

• Use Bacteria: Many homeowners use detergent and other solutions while doing dishes, running laundry, and completing other household tasks on a regular basis. Over time, these substances can throw your septic tank's "good" bacteria out of balance. According to the National Environmental Services Center at West Virginia University, using biological additives such as bacteria can reduce the amount of oil or grease and effluent solids in your tank, thereby achieving a healthier balance which will keep it functioning properly. 

• Know What to Flush: In general, it’s recommended that you only flush toilet tissue. Avoid putting cotton swabs, wipes, sanitary napkins, or any other materials in your toilet. Doing so could clog your system and result in the need for expensive repairs and replacements.  Also, search for a septic-safe brand of toilet paper. If you’re unsure, ask your septic tank repair professionals to recommend a brand that’s safe for your system.
• Avoid Hydraulic Overloading: Hydraulic overloading takes place when there is too much wastewater flow for your septic system to handle.  This could be a result of doing too many loads of laundry back-to-back, a leak in the toilet water reservoir, or taking too many showers. When this occurs, your tank can become less effective or even experience a clog. To prevent hydraulic overloading, talk to your septic professionals to make sure the size of your tank can support the average water usage for each person in your household. You can also avoid doing too much laundry, dishwashing, or showering in the course of one day to play it safe.

To learn more about what you can do to keep your septic system working efficiently, call King’s Sanitary Service at (330) 889-0034. You can also visit the septic company online for an overview of their services.