Septic tanks are the silent partner of a home that makes everything inside the home run smoothly. Just because the tank lives outside and underground doesn’t mean it’s not as integral to the functioning of a happy household as anything inside the home.
While a septic tank is built to function without much maintenance, there are still some things you need to be aware of to keep it running as efficiently as possible. For example, there are some things that you should never put in a septic tank. There are also some things you should do to properly care for your septic tank.
Here are some septic tank dos and don’ts.
Septic tank don’ts
Let’s start with things to avoid when it comes to septic tanks. First off, there are several items to avoid putting in your septic tank. This includes harmful, chemical-based substances like paint, gasoline, paint thinners, motor oil, solvents and pesticides and herbicides. Other substances like grease, fat and oil should be kept out as well.
Some household items should also be kept out of a septic tank. This includes cigarette butts, cat litter, coffee grounds, dental floss, disposable diapers, feminine hygiene products, plastics, like bags and bottles, and paper towels.
As a general rule, you should avoid putting anything that is not biodegradable in your septic tank. You may think that coffee grounds are safe then, right? Wrong. Coffee grounds sit in the septic tank like gravel. Just a couple of cups of coffee per day can really add up in the septic tank, and it will end up requiring more frequent pumping.
You should also avoid using harsh cleansers like bleach. Cleansers that focus on killing bacteria can harm your septic system, since the septic tank also depends on helpful bacteria to break down waste. Instead, use cleaning products billed as natural or septic safe.
Septic tank dos
In addition to taking care to avoid certain things, there are some things you should take care to do with regard to your septic tank.
For example, consider the size of your septic tank. If you’re planning on expanding your home by more than 15 percent of the current floor space or if you’re adding more people living in it, you may want to expand your septic tank to accommodate this.
If you don’t already have one, consider adding an effluent filter on your septic tank. This will help reduce the amount of solids leaving the tank and increase the lifespan of your septic system.
Use the garbage disposal sparingly. Be sure to scrape off any leftover food into the compost bin or garbage can before putting them in the sink. While the garbage disposal may be able to handle some bigger, soft pieces, this will still result in particulate matter ending up in the septic tank.
You should also make sure to schedule regular inspections and pumping of your septic tank. For all your septic tank needs, get in touch with Gullett Sanitation Services, Inc. today.