Keeping your home’s plumbing system clean and serviceable involves knowing how to prevent mistakes that lead to clogs, backflow, and expensive repairs. Here are a handful of common septic tank mishaps and guidance for avoiding them.

4 Septic Tank Mistakes to Avoid

1. Flushing the Wrong Items

Never flush anything besides toilet paper. When you flush paper towels, feminine hygiene products, cotton balls, cat litter, and prescription medicine down your toilet, your septic tank may clog, and raw sewage may back up into your home. 

2. Neglecting Your Pumping Schedule

The average home needs septic pumping about once every three years. When a tank is full, wastewater may flow back into your sinks and tubs. Keep track of your pumping schedule, and consider having the septic tank serviced more often for a larger household.

3. Planting Near the Tank

Don’t plant large trees or shrubs near your tank. Roots will grow into your septic tank over time, causing cracks in the reservoir and the pooling of wastewater on your lawn. Think about the location of the tank when upgrading your landscape, and keep new beds and plantings at least 10 feet away.

4. Putting Weight on the Tank

Don’t park cars or store heavy machinery over your septic tank. Don’t build sheds or storage cabins over your septic tank either. Always maintain open access to your system and keep weight off to limit the chance of collapse. 

Keep your home plumbing sanitary and functional with septic tank services from B & B Riley Septic Service. For over 12 years, they have provided septic tank cleaning, pumping, water jetting, soil tests, and excavation to the West Plains, MO, community. Call (417) 256-5062 to schedule septic pumping, or visit them online to learn more about grease trap cleaning and backhoeing services.