Do’s & Don’ts Of Septic Tanks To Avoid Pumping
If you have a septic tank, it’s important to take care of your septic system. If you don’t, the cost of fixing your septic system can be expensive! The price can range anywhere from $2,000-$25,000! Don’t forget, it’s not just the pipe in your toilet that can cause septic disaster. All kinds of household products, like toothpaste tubes and facial tissues, that get flushed down toilets. These things might seem harmless, but in fact are causing damage to the environment and costing homeowners money in repairs when they get sucked into septic systems.
So what are some ways that homeowners can keep their septic tanks in tiptop shape? Here is a list of Do’s and Don’ts to help you be a septic smart homeowner!
Do’s
- Have a licensed contractor inspect and pump out your septic system. The general rule is to do these every 3-5 years.
- Eliminate or limit the use of your garbage disposal
- Properly dispose food in your garbage and not down your sink drain
- When cooking, put the food grease in a container and let it harden before discarding into your trash
- Ask a registered septic service professional to advice you on the proper distance to plant trees and shrubs in your yard depending on the location of your septic system
- Limit the use of water- generating appliances as this can be very useful during the summer or when the system has no been pumped
- Your home can be more water efficient and will greatly help your septic system by installing kitchen and bathroom faucet aerators
Don’ts
- Pour cooking grease oil down your sinks or toilets
- Rinsing coffee grounds into the sink
- Pour household chemicals down the sink or flush them in toilets. This includes using bleach in your washing machine too!
- Flushing non-degradable products such as feminine hygiene products, tissues, band-aids, diapers, napkins, cigarette butts, dental floss, and cat litter
- Drive or park on your septic system
- Plant trees and shrubs near your septic system as roots are one of the main killers of septic systems!
Check out these links and other Maxx’s Products Blog Posts for tips and tricks on your home maintenance care!
3 Reasons to Use a Septic System Additive
The Consequences of Infrequent Septic Tank Pumping
The perfect hack to keep that toilet clean
Methane Gas & Septic Tank Dangers