24 Hour Emergency Service • (707) 823-0247

3 Ways to Avoid a Septic System Backup

Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start writing!

A backed-up septic tank is a recipe for disaster. It can cause water to pool in different parts of your property and increase your risk of waterborne diseases. With your septic system, they say prevention is better than cure. So, why wait for your septic tank to back up and then address the problem when you can prevent it in the first place?

L.J Construction is Sonoma County’s trusted septic service provider. Our team of licensed professionals provide septic system owners across the area with pumping, installation, and ongoing maintenance. As the leading specialists in Sonoma County, here are some simple tips to keep your septic tank from backing up.

Watch What You Put Down Your Drains

Your drains are not garbage bins, so don’t treat them like one. Avoid flushing solid waste such as coffee grounds, cigarette butts, paper towels, feminine hygiene products, cat litter, and vegetable fat down your drains. These items do not decompose quickly and can sit in your pipes for several weeks or months, causing a stubborn clog.

When artificial clogging occurs, steer away from using harsh drain cleaners, as they can corrode your pipes and kill the beneficial bacteria in your septic tank.

Do Not Use a Garbage Disposal

We advise against using a garbage disposal. A garbage disposal is designed to shred food waste into small pieces. These particles do not break down naturally in your septic tank and can make their way into your leach field, causing clogs.

If you already have a garbage disposal, use it sparingly. Avoid throwing food scraps and solid waste that don’t decompose or take longer to decompose. Use a natural cleaner, such as a mixture of dish soap and cold water, instead of harsh chemicals, to clean the blades of your garbage disposal. When using your garbage disposal, run cold water to solidify any grease, fats, or oils that went down your drain.

Make Periodic Septic System Maintenance a Priority

Solids in an overloaded septic tank are unable to settle properly. Overloading a septic tank also limits bacterial activity. As a result, solids do not break down easily and can move into the drain field, clogging it. A clogged drain field can affect your septic tank’s efficiency or lead to a complete breakdown.

Have a Sonoma County septic service pump your septic tank every three to five years. Periodic septic tank pumping prevents frustrating drain backups, helping keep your septic tank working at its optimum efficiency.

Inspect your septic system for leaks and check the leach field for clogs at regular intervals. To avoid overwhelming your septic tank, reduce water usage at home. Add bacteria that break down organic waste to your septic tank from time to time.

L.J. Construction is a renowned septic tank contractor in Sonoma County. Our team of experts provide septic to solutions for systems of all size. To schedule septic tank inspection and maintenance, contact our team at (707) 823-0247.