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If your home has a septic tank, there are a few guidelines you should follow to keep it running properly. Smart usage rules can be everything from pumping the tank every 3-5 years to limiting your garbage disposal use and making sure to only flush toilet paper and human waste. Tubs, showers, and dishwashers each have their own set of rules to help with septic system care, but the washing machine is often overlooked. This appliance creates a lot of wastewater and is one of the top causes of septic tank failure.

septic tankLint is typically associated with the dryer, but when clothes are washed, lint is removed from the fabric and ends up going down the drain with the wastewater. Without a filter, these fine materials can clog the septic drain field. Luckily, there is a simple device called an inline filter that can prevent lint from clogging the drain field. It’s a reusable device that attaches to the washer’s discharge hose and filters the lint out of the washing machine wastewater, keeping the system clear. A septic contractor can easily install one for you, saving you from costly septic drain field repair.

Additionally, how you use the machine can impact your septic system. Using a lot of water in short amount of time can also cause septic failure. Spreading out water usage is a good thing for septic tanks, so try to avoid doing many loads of laundry on one day. The average washing machine can use up to 45 gallons per load, which can easily add up to hundreds of gallons if you do multiple loads in one day. Instead, spread your laundry out throughout the week, doing one or two loads each day.

 

Having septic system problems? Tri County Systems is Rochester’s best septic and sewer contractor. They provide prompt and efficient service, from installation to septic tank pumping, to simply installing an inline filter on your washing machine. Call (585) 467-2550 to schedule an appointment. Visit their website for more information.

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