The septic tank is a rather overlooked aspect of the household, because, unlike most places, it usually stays out of sight. But maintenance of the septic tank is as important as other areas of the house, and it is because you do not want to deal with backups and foul odours.
In this article, we will be talking about septic tank maintenance, why it matters, and provide you with tips about maintaining a septic tank.
Why Septic Tank Maintenance Matters
Household wastewater has a lot of nitrogen and phosphate, as well as germs and viruses that can make you sick. A well-maintained and functioning septic system will get rid of most of these contaminants. Untreated sewage from septic systems can pollute groundwater, which can transmit disease in people and animals.
If sewage isn’t treated properly, it could contaminate surrounding surface waters and make people sick with a variety of infectious ailments, from eye and ear infections to acute gastrointestinal illness and hepatitis.
Also, every day, more than four billion gallons of wastewater are sent underground. Groundwater that has been polluted by inadequately treated or untreated domestic wastewater can be harmful to the environment-.
When septic systems don’t work right, they let out germs, viruses, and chemicals that are bad for nearby rivers. When these pollutants get into the soil, they eventually make their way into streams, rivers, lakes, and other bodies of water. This kills native plants, fish, and shellfish, which hurts local ecosystems. –
Tips for Maintaining a Healthy Septic System
The maintenance of the septic system doesn’t have to be complicated; it can be rather simple.
Inspect and Pump Frequently
You should inspect your septic system every 3 years, preferably with the help of professionals. Also, get the system pumped every 5 years. Though the frequency in itself matters on a number of factors, like:
- Household size
- Total wastewater generated
- Volume of solids in wastewater
- Septic tank size
Use Water Efficiently
You should be wary about using water, and ideally, use as much water as you need. When you flush excessive water down the septic system, it overwhelms the system. A normal single-family home might use up to 70 gallons of water per person every day inside. A toilet that leaks or runs can contribute up to 200 gallons of water to your home every day.
You can use faucet aerators and high-efficiency toilets, as they use much less water and would not overwhelm the system as much.
Properly Dispose off Waste
Everything that goes down your drain ends up in your septic system, whether you flush it down the toilet, grind it up in the garbage disposal, or pour it down the sink, shower, or bath. The things that go down the drain can impact how effectively your septic system performs. As a precaution, avoid flushing these things down your toilet, as the anaerobic bacteria in the septic tank cannot digest them:
- Cooking grease or oil
- Non-flushable wipes, such as baby wipes or other wet wipes
- Photographic solutions
- Feminine hygiene products
- Condoms
- Dental floss
- Diapers
- Cigarette butts
- Coffee grounds
- Cat litter
- Paper towels
- Pharmaceuticals
- Household chemicals like gasoline, oil, pesticides, antifreeze, and paint or paint thinners
Use A Septic Tank Treatment Tablet Regularly
Once a week or a month, flush septic tank treatment tablets down, as it helps unclog the septic system and improve the lifespan of your system. These tablets increase the count of anaerobic bacteria, which are responsible for the digestion of sludge in the septic tank.
Just make sure to stay away from the ones with harsh chemicals, as they damage the ecosystem of the septic system. It can cause damage to your PVC and Metal pipes, which would just add to your maintenance costs later on.
Maintain Your Drainfield
Your drainfield is the area where the effluent (wastewater) enters from the septic tank to the soil, where it is absorbed and filtered out. It can be considered the backbone of the septic system, and must be maintained with as much care as the septic tank.
- Do not park or drive on your drainfield.
- To keep roots from getting into your septic system, plant trees at the right distance from your drainfield. Depending on your septic tank and yard, a septic service expert can tell you the right distance.
- Keep roof drains, sump pumps, and other systems that drain rainfall away from your drainfield area. Too much water slows down or stops the process of cleaning up wastewater.
Conclusion
The health of your septic tank directly depends on the overall health of your septic system. If you follow these tips, you will spend a minimal amount on maintenance of your septic system, and ensure its health for a long time to come.
