2 Ways Your Dishwasher Is Increasing The Number Of Times You Need Your Septic Tank Pumped
Within your home's septic system, there is a well-balanced ecosystem that breaks down the waste and keeps the tank from becoming too full too quickly. When that ecosystem is thrown out of balance, the tank will overfill with solid waste and greywater, making it necessary to have it pumped out at more frequent intervals.
If your home's septic tank requires more frequent visits by a professional service, part of the issue may lie with your dishwasher. There are a couple of ways your dishwasher may be increasing the number of times you need to call a service to have your home's septic tank pumped.
1. Dishwasher Detergent Is Toxic to the Tank's Beneficial Bacteria That Break Down Waste
One way that your dishwasher is destroying the ecosystem in your home's septic tank and making it fill up faster than normal has to do with the detergent you use. If you are using a dishwasher detergent that contains chemicals that are toxic to the tank's beneficial bacteria, their population will rapidly decrease.
Without a healthy bacterial population in the tank, the solid waste will not break down efficiently or quickly, resulting in a rapid buildup. You should try to choose an eco-friendly detergent, or during the next pumping service call, ask the professional for recommendations for one that is septic-friendly.
2. Influx of Water From the Dishwasher and Other Water Sources Is Flooding the Tank
Another way that your dishwasher is causing problems with your septic system is that it is flooding the tank with too much greywater at once. This is especially true if you tend to turn on the appliance and the washing machine at the same time you take a shower.
If too much greywater floods the tank at once, the system cannot dispose of it fast enough, which can cause overfilling. You should try to stagger your usage of water-heavy appliances as well as ask for advice from the septic service representative on how to use the dishwasher so that it does not flood the system.
If you have noticed that you need to have your septic system cleaned out more often, your home's dishwasher may be partially to blame. You should try switching to a detergent that is nontoxic to the tank's ecosystem, or ask for a recommendation from a septic service professional. You should also try to time the use of the dishwasher so that it is not running while other water-heavy activities are not going on at the same time, such as showering or washing clothes. For more information on how to take care of the system, speak with a professional the next time you have a septic tank pumping appointment.
