Septic Tank Care: What To Know
In a house with a septic system, your tank is likely located somewhere in your backyard and it rarely crosses your mind. However, if you want to keep showering, flushing the toilet, and washing clothes and dishes, it's in your best interests to care of the tank and prevent problems. You might not understand what you can do to maintain the tank; here are two pointers to guide you.
Be Mindful of Your Chemical Usage
Many people try to keep their house as clean as they can, and to make that possible, they use a number of cleaning products that are meant to kill bacteria and sterilize the home environment. If you use any of these materials, such as bleach, be mindful that whatever you rinse down your drains travels right to the septic tank. Your tank is home to bacteria that slowly break down all the solids that pass through your pipes; without that bacteria, the tank will fill quickly and could overflow or become clogged. Bleach and some of the bacteria-killing products you're using can, over time, disrupt the levels of existing bacterial life. Therefore, try to seek out more natural cleaners for the house.
It's important to also consider what kind of laundry cleaner you choose at the supermarket. Powder detergent may be your preference, but realize that many of them contain various clay substances. Clay can get stuck in pipes and could cause clogging problems; you may wish to switch over to liquid cleaners.
Pump Out Your Tank
An important way to clean out the tank and check on the tank itself is to have a septic pump out. Your tank has space enough to accumulate solid wastes for a long time, but ideally it should be pumped and emptied every three years. This pumping will ensure that all the waste is removed, but it will also allow your plumbing professional to examine the tank for structural problems such as corrosion, cracks, and other issues that could cause leaking and similar trouble. If they determine that the tank is so old or damaged that it needs to be replaced, it's worth knowing that information when it's been pumped clean instead of dealing with a full, leaking tank full of liquid and solid waste.
The septic tank is essential to the functioning of your home. When you use these pointers, the tank can continue its work and your family can remain comfortable using water inside the house.
