Prevention is the cure for your septic system
Prevention is the cure for your septic system
FOR THE BATHROOMS—THE ONLY THING THAT GETS FLUSHED DOWN THE TOILET SHOULD BE TOILET PAPER. DO NOT FLUSH PAPER TOWELS, BABY WIPES, FACIAL TISSUES, OR PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS. YES, THOSE WIPES MAY SAY THEY’ RE FLUSHABLE, BUT THEY CAN CLOG YOUR SYSTEM.
How does your home deal with its wastewater? If you live in the city, you’re hooked up to your local sewer system, but if you’re farther out in the country, you’re probably making use of a septic system.
How does the septic system work? Essentially, the septic tank takes the wastewater and separates the water from organic matter. The solids sink to the bottom forming a sludge, while oils and grease will float along the top. These two sections remain stored in the tank while the wastewater (called effluent), transfers over the drainfield.
The drainfield is a series of pipes that allow your wastewater to get filtered through the soil. The harmful elements of the wastewater get treated out, and eventually the effluent is returned to the ground soil.
Maintaining your septic field
How do you know if
there’s an issue with your septic system? An odour around the tank is a good indicator. Other potential clues are bright, spongy grass over your septic field — especially during a dry season. And of course, water visibly backing up into your drains, or into your basement are big clues.
The name of the game is to prevent damage before you see those clues. How do we do that? The system needs to be pumped out regularly. Pumping your septic field will remove those solids that can’t be broken down. Your own schedule will vary depending on how much use your system sees. You should always inspect your system before you pump. In some cases, you may be doing harm to your system by pumping — for instance, there could have been recent flooding, or the tank could be damaged. If you’ve inspected and all is good, you’re probably going to find yourself on a schedule of pumping every one to three years or so.
Efficient water usage also plays a major factor in protecting your tank. Each drop of water you send down the drain is going to end up in your septic system, so it makes sense that the less water you use in general, the less strain on your system, right? Being conscious and installing efficient toilets and fixtures can go a long way to reducing the amount of water you use in the home, and put less of a strain on your septic system.
If you’re doing any landscaping — keep the area around your septic fields clear. Grass is a fine choice for your septic area — but any plants with big root systems can disrupt the function of your tank. Your septic service pro can let you know how far away you should plant things based on the type of system you have.
Work with your landscaper to ensure that any changes you make to your property don’t slope water toward your septic field. This water can overwhelm your system and prevent it from working properly.
Keeping your drains clear
Here’s one of the most important things you can do as a homeowner to protect your septic system. And this goes for those of you hooked up to the municipal sewer system too, so pay attention. Your drains are sensitive — and you shouldn’t be sending down excessive waste down your drains.
This means if you have a garbage disposal, do not overuse it. Try not to use it at all. Find a better way to get rid of excessive waste. Too much reliance on the disposal can clog your drainfield due to the additional waste and oils going down your drain. Instead, make use of compost and green bins to get rid of your organic waste.
For the bathrooms — the only thing that gets flushed down the toilet should be toilet paper. Do not flush paper towels, baby wipes, facial tissues, or personal care products. Yes, those wipes may say they’re flushable, but they can clog your system. Find another way to dispose of them.
You’ ll also need to be careful about putting household chemicals down the drain — they could be negatively affecting the bacteria in your septic tank that is responsible for breaking down solids. This includes liquids that are meant to unclog your drains. Small clogs can probably be solved with a plunger or a plastic drain snake. If the clog goes a lot deeper, call your plumber.