Most people who live in urban areas never have to think about their wastewater. A municipal sewer system transports everything away to a wastewater treatment facility, and it returns in the form of clean, potable water. It's not that simple for residents of more rural areas. Many require an onsite septic system to handle waste and graywater. If you have never owned a septic tank but are considering buying a house that has one, below are some factors you should be aware of.

What You Should Know Before Buying a House with a Septic System

1. You Shouldn't Flood It With Water

Septic tanks treat waste using beneficial bacteria. By flooding the tank with water, it can upset the bacteriological balance and create an inefficient treatment system. Moreover, adding too much water at once can overfill the tank, and this can lead to clogs.

Spread your laundry out throughout the week, shut the faucet off while you soap yourself up, and generally practice good water conservation to minimize problems with your tank.

2. How Often It Needs to Be Serviced

Pumping frequency depends on the size of the tank and the number of household occupants. A 1,000-gallon tank should last a family of four between three and five years before it needs to be emptied.

However, whatever your pumping needs, you should have the septic system inspected every three to five years to make sure it isn't leaking or suffering any other problems.

3. What You Can & Can’t Flush

Only flush human waste and toilet paper. Other items do not belong in the toilet, including baby wipes, dirty diapers, dental floss, and leftovers. Most of these items are not biodegradable and cause your tank to fill quickly.

Also, never flush bleach, paint thinner, or other chemicals that could kill off the beneficial bacteria in your septic system. Without them, your tank cannot properly treat the waste it collects and could release toxins into the groundwater.

 

If you need help taking care of your new septic system, contact Dugger's Septic Tank Cleaning in Corbin, KY. They have served Knox County for more than 55 years and specialize in septic maintenance, grease trap cleaning, and pumping service. Learn more about the company on their website or call (606) 528-3893 to make an appointment.