There are several advantages of septic installation, including independence from sewage lines and disposing of waste naturally. But septic systems have to be carefully maintained or you’ll end up with a mess on your hands. Golden Alaska Excavating, of Kodiak, AK, shares some basic dos and don’ts for managing your new septic system.

Don’t flush anything into your waste system except toilet paper, mild cleaners, or dirty dish and laundry water. Do not let pharmaceuticals, flammable substances, pool chemicals, paper, fibrous or rubber materials, or food waste like egg shells and melon rinds get into your waste system. Any of these substances can clog or damage the system.

Do use natural cleaners. Instead of using harsh chemicals that could end up in your new septic installation, go with cleaning alternatives like baking soda and lemon juice. They’re healthier for your family, gentler on your surfaces, and won’t damage your septic system.

Don’t use too much water. If you use more water in one day than your tank can handle, it won’t have time to process the waste. Contaminated water will be spilled into the drain field. Limit the use of long showers and don’t do all your laundry in one day. Instead of leaving a dripping faucet on to prevent your pipes from freezing, make sure the pipes are properly insulated. Dripping faucets can add up to a lot of wastewater.

Do keep the tank lid fastened at all times. The fumes from your septic tank are toxic and foul-smelling. Even more urgent is the safety aspect. You don’t want to risk a child or pet falling into your septic system and keeping the septic risers sealed is one way to prevent that from happening.

Don’t allow surface rainwater to drain into your septic tank. Again, your system might not be able to handle that amount of waste, and contaminated water will overflow into the drain field. Rainwater should be allowed to drain naturally into the earth or carried away from your property with a drainage ditch.

Despite the disposal restrictions of a wastewater system, septic installation is a great way to go. Golden Alaska Excavating is a family-owned and -operated small business that does septic, drainage, and water and sewer installation, as well as trucking, demolition, and site preparation. Call them today at (907) 539-6490 to learn more about getting a septic system, and visit their website for additional information about their services.