Sewage systems are a necessary evil. They’re disgusting, they smell bad, and you never want to have anything to do with them. But the reality is that sewage systems are absolutely essential for our world to function properly. Without them, the world would be up to its neck in waste every day of the week. And while no one wants to think about it or talk about it, there’s a lot more going on behind the scenes than you might realize.
Here are ten things people should never do with their septic system:
- Don’t put too much liquid down your drain at once.
If you’ve ever had an issue with your toilet overflowing because someone flushes too many paper towels down at once, then this will sound familiar to you. Solid waste from the toilet is usually disposed of with no problems, but too much liquid can overwhelm it. A clog caused by excess liquid can back things up and cause a lot of damage to your septic system, which you don’t want to deal with.
- Don’t flush the debris down the toilet.
If you have small children, you know what it’s like to clean small toys and other unmentionables out of the toilet. This is bad news for your septic system. Put anything that doesn’t belong in the toilet down the garbage disposal instead so they won’t end up clogging your pipes and causing a lot of damage to your septic tank.
If left unchecked, your pipes can get clogged and will burst, eventually seeping into and filling your yard with puddles. These puddles are perfect nurseries for mosquito larvae to grow into disease-carrying mosquitoes. By this point, you’ll need to get mosquito control services to eliminate these mosquitoes, not to mention the contractors you’ll have to hire to repair your system.
- Don’t use harsh chemicals to unclog the system.
Leave it to professionals, and don’t try to unclog your septic tank yourself with harsh chemicals like Drano or Clorox. These aren’t designed for household systems and can cause toxic gas to build up in your bathroom, which you definitely don’t want hanging around inside your house. However, you can
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- Don’t put anything that doesn’t come from a septic tank down the drain
Even if you have an alternative system to take care of your household waste, don’t send it down there any more than you have to. If something isn’t biodegradable or water-soluble, leave it out of the bathroom and don’t let it come in contact with your septic tank. This way, you won’t have to worry about clogs or issues with your system.
- Don’t ignore the smell of your drains.
If you’ve ever gotten a whiff of that not-so-fresh smell from the drain in your bathroom, then you know a bad sign smells like. This smell means that your septic system needs some serious work to get things back up and running smoothly again. Plan on having professional help as soon as possible so you can avoid bigger problems down the road.
- Don’t use degreasers on your drains.
Degreasers are usually good for removing stains and grime from all kinds of surfaces, but you should never use them on your drains. It’s a water-soluble product that can leach into the pipes and cause damage to your septic system. Furthermore, toxic chemicals like this will seep into the groundwater and cause damage to the environment.
- Don’t ignore warning signs that your system needs help.
When you hear strange noises coming from the pipes, see water backing up in your drains, or notice that your septic tank is breaking down, then it’s time to call for professional help right away. Ignoring these signs can damage your system and even lead to backups, which is an expensive problem that you can avoid.
- Don’t forget that septic tanks need to be pumped out.
In most areas, you’re required to pump your septic tank every three years. In others, it’s required more often. Keep an eye on the maintenance schedule for your system and stay in compliance with the law so you don’t have to worry about being cited or penalized for doing something that can be easily avoided.
- Don’t forget to change your septic tank filter.
Filters are an important part of your system, helping to keep debris out of the waste particles, so they don’t clog up the drain field or get pumped back into your yard. If you need help remembering when it’s time to change your filter, then set a regular appointment for this job every two to three years.
- Don’t forget that septic systems need occasional cleaning.
Because your septic tank is filled with all kinds of particles and your pipes are full of gunk, it’s possible for these things to build on the walls and clog them from time to time. When this happens, you might need professional help to get the gunk out and clean your system before it causes problems with how well your septic tank works.
Septic tanks are complicated systems that require maintenance to work properly. Doing your part in keeping the tank clean and free of waste will help keep things running smoothly, avoid costly repairs, and protect the environment from bacteria-carrying mosquitos. Follow these tips for maintaining a healthy septic system so you can enjoy all its benefits without any worries or regrets.
