Homes with septic systems need to maintain a specific set of guidelines to ensure their system works efficiently over the years. Septic tanks contain living bacteria that break down waste and are sensitive to a variety of factors. Here’s a closer look at what to do—and what to avoid— to keep your system healthy.

Do:

Conserve water.

Proactively managing your water use can help avoid overloading the system. For example, space out your loads of laundry over the course of a few days or avoid using the dishwasher and taking a shower at the same time. Too much water all at once doesn’t allow enough time for the liquids and solids in the tank to separate, potentially leading to bacterial imbalance.

Cover the drain field with grass.

Covering the drain field with grass helps prevent erosion and encourage evaporation. The roots of the grass help hold the soil together, preventing erosion.

Meanwhile, plant life helps with evaporation via a process called transpiration. This is the movement of the drain field water from the roots up the stems where it evaporates off the surfaces of the grass. Evaporation is an important part of the drain field, as excess water leads to problems similar to those produced by overloading your system.

Don’t:

Flush anything besides toilet paper.

To be safe, only septic-safe toilet paper should be flushed. Even if a brand of wipes is labeled as “flushable,” it’s likely that they won’t break down easily in a septic system.

Also, don’t flush sanitary products, medications, chemicals, or hazardous materials. All of these items will damage the delicate bacteria at work in the septic tank and drain field. Keep these items out of sinks and laundry loads as well.

Park cars or other heavy objects on the drain field.

The microbes in the drain field require oxygen to function. This means they perform less optimally in compacted soil. Avoid parking cars or other heavy objects on the drain field, especially for long periods of time. The soil will gradually compact until the microbes have trouble doing their job.

For the proper care of your septic system, consult the experts at Nick Driggers Pumping Service in Greensboro, NC. The maintenance of your septic tank is a big responsibility, so you need a reliable company to help. They provide septic tank inspection, installation, cleaning, and repairs to keep your system healthy and functioning smoothly. Contact this professional septic pumping company on their website or call them at (336) 215-4408 to make an appointment.