Your septic tank treats the greywater generated by your household. Many people unknowingly abuse their septic tanks. Improper use of a septic tank can lead to severe (even irreversible!) septic tank damage.
To ensure your septic tank lasts long and performs flawlessly, avoid these septic tank mistakes.
Installing a Garbage Disposal
A garbage disposal unit helps you dispose of food items quickly and efficiently; however, we recommend against using one, as it can double the amount of solid waste that flows into your septic tank, overwhelming it. Moreover, the beneficial bacteria in your tank cannot break down grease, food waste, and bits of animal bones and meat. As a result, you may have to clean your septic tank more frequently. Instead of utilizing garbage disposal, compost your kitchen food waste as often as possible.
Not Pumping the Septic Tank Frequently
There are several benefits of septic tank pumping. Regular pumping helps prevent slow drains and septic odors. It improves the performance of your septic tank and prevents costly problems, saving you money in the long run.
If you fail to have your septic tank pumped regularly, your drain field can become clogged and a sewage backup may occur. Your toilets may drain slowly or refuse to drain altogether. A septic tank that hasn’t been pumped for a long time can pollute groundwater. To keep your septic tank working at its best, have your Napa County septic service expert pump it every 3-5 years.
Throwing Solid Waste Down Your Drain
Solid waste such as cat litter, eggshells, coffee grounds, and paper towels do not break down easily and can sit in your pipes for weeks, clogging them. If not fixed quickly, a clog can cause serious damage to your septic system.
Using Too Much Water
When too much wastewater goes into your septic tank, more water is pushed into the leach field than it can manage. To prevent damage to your leach field, devise a plan to reduce water consumption at home.
Here are some simple yet effective ways to conserve water.
- Take shorter showers.
- Replace traditional shower heads with water-saving shower heads or flow restrictors.
- Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth and shaving.
- Fix leaking taps and faucets as soon as possible.
- Spread out laundry loads over the week and only do one load at a time.
Using Cleaning Products Containing Harsh Chemicals
Harsh cleaning products can kill the beneficial bacteria in your septic tank, and eventually, there won’t be enough bacteria to break down the solid waste in it. As a result, sludge, scum, and wastewater accumulate in your septic tank. To prevent costly septic tank problems, switch to more gentle cleaning products devoid of harsh chemicals.
The L.J. Construction team consists of skilled septic system specialists. They have years of experience installing, servicing, and replacing different types of septic systems. To schedule a professional septic system inspection, call (707) 823-0247.