Septic systems offer a practical solution for disposing of water and waste from residential properties in suburban and rural communities. They’re fairly low maintenance, but there are some small adjustments that homeowners should make to keep their systems functioning at full capacity. When it comes to doing laundry, here’s what homeowners should know to avoid emergency septic repairs.

Laundry Issues for Septic Tank Owners

When water moves through your plumbing fixtures and appliances, it gets filtered into your septic tank, where it is then separated from solid waste and directed into a series of tubes that send it into your drain field. This process does take some time, so if a ton of water moves through the system at once, it may back up and cause slow drains or flooding in your drain field.

Washing machines tend to use a fair amount of water. While one load likely isn’t going to cause a problem, multiple loads or running the machine at the same time as the dishwasher or bathtub may lead to backups or flooding, especially if the tank is already near its capacity.

How to Avoid Problems

Most septic system owners can avoid major problems simply by spreading out their water usage. Instead of doing all your laundry on one day, do just one or two loads at a time, and avoid running other fixtures that use a lot of water around the same time.

Additionally, the drain field may already be saturated if it has rained recently, so if possible, try to save laundry for dry days. You can also avoid septic repair issues by investing in a high-efficiency washer the next time you replace your appliances since newer models tend to use less water per load.

If you need septic repairs or maintenance, the professionals at Downs Drain & Septic Service in Peninsula, OH, can help. With more than 52 years in business, the family-owned and -operated company is known for providing prompt and friendly service and using high-quality equipment to get the job done efficiently. Visit the website to see a full selection of services. To schedule septic repairs or other services, call (330) 929-5555.