Five Septic System Tips for New or Seasoned Homeowners

Whether you’ve just purchased a home or lived in it for generations, it’s important to understand your septic system. Many people don’t know some simple septic system tips to help keep their home running smoothly. As a result, they may encounter issues with their sewers that lead to unpleasant smells, dirty water, or problematic leaks.

Here are five septic system tips to help you avoid the headache of unnecessary issues:

• Inspect regularly: Having your septic system inspected every few years will allow you to know if there are issues ahead of time. While not every issue can be avoided this way, many sewer malfunctions can be avoided by staying vigilant.
• Have it pumped: Pumping a septic system is not simply something to be done when there is a clog. Rather, it allows the water in your system to remain fresh and can help prevent The amount of water you use regularly will determine the frequency of when you should pump the tank, but it’s important to stay on top of it.
• Schedule responsibly: We know it’s much easier to do all of your cleaning in one day, but running the washing machine and dishwasher too much at once can overwhelm your system. It’s better to spread laundry out throughout the week, only doing one or two loads per day and never running the dishwasher or taking a shower at the same time.
• A toilet is not a trash can: Flushing anything besides what is expected to go down a toilet is a recipe for disaster. Even baby wipes or facial tissues that claim to be septic safe are usually not good to put down the drain. Just throw away anything that isn’t toilet paper – it’s not worth the risk.
• Chemicals don’t belong in the drain: Cleaning chemicals or drain cleaners are usually harmful to septic systems. They kill the bacteria in your septic tank that help break down solids, leading to more frequent clogs. Don’t be excessive with your laundry bleach, and consider drain snakes for clogs that plungers won’t solve.

We hope these septic system tips are helpful. Many potential issues can be solved by following these simple guidelines. Keep your septic system healthy, and you will save yourself worry and money!