Buying your first home is an exciting milestone in your adult life. However, if your new property uses a septic system instead of connecting to the municipal sewer, you’ll need to know how to care for your drains. To learn how to care for your plumbing, follow the helpful guide below. Below are routine maintenance steps that can hold off emergency plumbing service.

What You Should Know About Your Septic System

How It Works

Your septic system is composed of two components: the tank and the drain field. Whenever wastewater goes down your pipes, it travels to the tank, where solids settle to the bottom and grease, oils, and fats float to the top. As more waste enters the tank, the liquid is pushed out into the drain field, an extensive system of pipes that slowly leach the water into the soil under your yard. You should take the proper precautions to ensure both of these components continue to function properly.

How You Can Maintain It

To avoid emergency plumbing services for your septic tank, be careful what you put down your drains. For example, flushing anything other than toilet paper and human waste could cause a jam in the tank, because these items won’t break down naturally. To preserve the bacteria in your tank that help waste decompose into sludge, avoid putting too many antibacterial cleaners down the drain. You should also have the tank pumped every few years to keep it from overflowing.

To protect the drain field, never park or drive on that portion of your yard. The shifting earth damages pipes, which leads to backups or breakages that require plumbing service. If you’re planting trees on your property, be sure to give them ample room away from the drain field—roots can interfere with the pipes, and they’re difficult to remove. The drain field can only handle so much water at once, so you should redirect runoff to avoid oversaturation.

A septic system may seem overwhelming at first, but don’t worry—with these simple steps and the help of a professional plumbing service, you can keep it running without issues. New homeowners in the Onalaska, WI, area can count on A+ Family Plumbing to care for their drains, pipes, water heaters, and septic systems. They offer 24/7 emergency services throughout La Crosse County, and their team uses the latest technology to complete repairs quickly. To schedule a visit, call (608) 783-5558, and visit the team online to learn more about their services.