Your septic tank is one of those things you might not think about often. However, to get rid of the waste in your home, it's important to be aware of what you can do to keep your tank in good shape. Making sure your septic tank is in good shape is not hard, as long as you avoid certain things and take care not to overload it. Here are some suggestions you can use to keep your septic tank working well.
Avoid Bleaches and Acids
Your septic tank contains beneficial bacteria that breaks down the solid waste that you dispose of through sinks, toilets and tubs. When you use acids and bleaches to clean things and clear clogs, they go down the drain and can kill that bacteria. That can lead to more clogs in your septic lines, since there isn't as much good bacteria available to break down that matter.
A good idea is to make better choices about the types of cleaners you use. Seek out natural, nontoxic cleaners that will not disrupt beneficial bacteria. For instance, you can use a baking soda and vinegar mixture to dislodge clogs in drains, or scrub surfaces with baking soda to eliminate stains.
Pump the Tank
Over time, sludge can build up in the septic tank, and that can cause your entire system to fail unless you have the tank pumped. Pumping the septic tank will clean out the tank so that it doesn't overflow and can continue to work properly. If you fail to do this, you risk seeing sewage backing up into your home.
Generally, you should have your tank pumped every three years. Have a garbage disposal? In that case, you have more waste in your tank, and should pump it more often.
Install Low Flow Faucets
To reduce water use and put less pressure on your septic tank, it's a good idea to install low flow faucets in your home. These faucets will help you conserve water as you go about your day, resulting in less water traveling to the septic tank. Not only can you help your septic system with low flow faucets, you might also end up saving yourself money on your water bill as well.
Store Used Oil in Glass Jars
If you're like many people, you give no thought to pouring grease down the drain after you've cooked bacon or other greasy foods. However, when hot oil and grease cools, they solidify. Over time, you could cause clogs in the system that are expensive to repair. Instead, keep oils and grease in a glass or ceramic jar. Throw the jars out with your household trash.
