Maintaining An Efficient Septic System
You want to make sure that you are treating your septic tank properly. If something goes wrong with the septic tank, you could be up to your ankles in sewage. Septic tanks are really very durable and can take a lot of punishment, but they can malfunction and get backed up. If you want the system to function properly for an extended amount of time then you should make sure that you are doing the small things right. Here are a few different things that you can do that will help your septic system stay running smoothly.
Find Your Septic System
You may not even know where you septic system, and you could therefore be doing damage to the system and not even know it. You should have a plumber come out and tell you exactly where your septic tank is. If you have been experiencing problems, there is a chance that you have been causing damage simply by overburdening the soil above the tank. It is not uncommon to see the tank a few meters away from the home. Often individuals will use the area as a parking spot, but the overburdened soil may cause damage to the tank. Simply knowing where your tank is can solve this problem.
Get Your Tank Pumped
Your tank needs to be cleaned out about once every other year. The system can start to have buildups of different chemicals and even sewage buildups that need to be pumped out of the septic tank. In fact, it is not uncommon to see a lot of trash in the septic system. Things such as plastic wrappers, condoms, baby wipes, and other trash can really do a lot of damage to the system. These materials have to be pumped out of the septic tank or they can cause long term damage to the tank.
Bacteria Cultures
The sewage in a septic tank is broken down by a series of different bacteria cultures. These bacteria thrive in this environment. However, it is possible to kill the bacteria on accident. Many people when the have a clog will reach for the liquid drain cleaners. These cleaners are capable of blasting through almost any clog, but the harsh chemicals can also kill the bacteria that break down the sewage. Use these type of drain cleaners very sparingly or you could kill the bacteria. Instead of using the drain cleaners, try using a pipe auger or a pipe snake to get rid of a clog.
Contact a contractor, like B&E Septic Services, for more help.