Septic tanks deal with all the waste from their respective households and last up to 20 years with the right maintenance. Lack of efficient septic tank care causes a variety of unpleasant problems ranging from plumbing backups in toilets and sinks to cracked tank leaks and potential groundwater contamination. Here, review tips for maintaining your tank and subsequently a healthy plumbing system.

How to Care for Your Septic System

1. Know Your Tank’s Location

Locate your tank if you haven’t already to prevent parking vehicles on top of it. The extra weight can crack the tank. Knowing the location also avoids planting shrubs and other greenery with extensive root systems near the tank, since roots can cause damage and leaks. If you want to plant over the tank, look for ground cover options and other plants with shallow root systems such as daffodils.

2. Schedule Routine Septic Pumping

Request septic pumping every two to five years based on factors such as the number of people in your household and how much water you use every week. Septic pumping removes solid waste, or sludge, from the bottom of the tank to keep it from getting overloaded and either backing up into household plumbing or causing serious leaks and contaminated drain fields.

3. Watch What You Flush

Make smart drainage decisions as part of septic tank care. Don’t flush anything other than toilet paper since paper towels, coffee grounds, assorted chemicals, cigarette butts, and baby wipes are among the many products contributing to tank clogs and bacteria imbalances. Also be mindful of what drains into your sinks, such as oil and grease. Both contribute to clogged tanks.

4. Practice Water Conservation

Avoid overwhelming your tank and possibly sending solid waste into your drain field by practicing water conservation. Spread out laundry over the week instead of doing it all in one day, and don’t use your dishwasher more than once daily. Also, don’t let faucets run for longer than necessary and limit shower time as much as possible since lengthy bathing sessions use gallons of water.

5. Avoid Tank Additives

Refrain from using tank additives that claim to break down waste, so you don’t have to schedule pumping as often. These additives kill healthy tank bacteria to interfere with natural processes, resulting in sludge settling issues. Some additives can even corrode the tank. Stick to septic pumping instead. 

 

 

Request professional septic tank care such as pumping from Great Bear Septic Service, the sewer and septic company serving home and small business owners throughout Westchester, Putnam, and Southern Dutchess counties in New York. Discounts are available to veterans, active military members, seniors, and teachers. Call (845) 621-0250 today to schedule pumping or learn more about septic tank care services online. Read the latest customer reviews on Yelp.