Proper septic tank maintenance can prevent serious problems such as sewage backing up in your bathtub or spilling into your yard. Proper maintenance can help you avoid costly repairs and emergency service calls. Septic tank maintenance is done partly by a professional and partly by you with daily care. Here's a look at some important things to know about maintaining your septic tank.

Have The Tank Pumped Out On Time

There isn't much you can do as a homeowner to clean out and service your septic tank. Instead, you'll need to call a professional to do the job because of the special equipment that is needed and because of the danger involved. Your role is to make sure the tank is pumped out in time before it gets so full the filter is clogged or it overflows. If you notice your drains are emptying slowly, that could be a sign your septic tank is full and it needs to be pumped. Sewer odors should also be investigated as they could mean the tank needs to be cleaned out.

The best way to avoid problems with overflowing is to set up a schedule for having the pump cleaned out. A septic tank maintenance company can calculate the frequency for you by using the size of the tank and the number of people in your family.

Don't Send Trash Down The Drains

If you or someone in your family is in the habit of flushing wet wipes or cigarette butts down the toilet, you will probably need your tank pumped more often and you increase the risk of clogs. A septic tank is designed so that bacteria cause the waste that goes in the tank to decompose and form a sludge. Wet wipes and other forms of trash don't break down fast enough, so they just pile up in the tank. Chemicals can be another cause for concern if they disrupt that bacterial balance that causes decomposition. Avoid pouring large amounts of chemical cleaners or paint down drains so the bacteria stay healthy.

Your garbage disposal contributes a lot of waste to your septic tank if you use it daily. Soft foods are usually no problem, but bones and other hard foods won't break down as fast. One thing you definitely want to avoid is putting grease and oil into the drain. Oils don't decompose at all because they just float on top of the tank. Plus, oils coat the drains and catch hairs and other debris to create problems with clogs.

Limit the use of your garbage disposal and only use toilet paper that dissolves quickly so your septic tank can function as it should. By doing that and having the tank cleaned out on schedule, the tank should last for many years without being a constant source of problems and clogs.

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