One of the fastest ways to ruin your septic system is by putting things that do not belong there in the system. The septic system does not refer only to the tank. It also includes the sewer pipes and the indoor plumbing structures that empty their waste into it. The septic tank contains aerobic and anaerobic bacteria that break down the organic waste from the house. The filter separates the liquid, which is then drained into the field.
If you introduce anything that ruins the smooth flow of this process, your tank might end up failing. Here are three things that you should never do to your tank if you want it to serve you for a long time.
Do Not Put Solid Inorganic Waste In
Toilet paper and toilet waste are the two things that will flow down the toilet to the septic tank without causing complications. If you introduce other types of waste such as sanitary towels, soap wrappers, diapers, cigarette butts, baby wipes, and other similar solids into the system, you could block the sewer pipe.
Once the pipe is blocked, water starts backing up into the house. Backed-up greywater is a major health hazard, and it can lead to a host of illnesses. You can call a plumber to remove the clog if you suspect one of these substances were introduced into your system.
Do Not Pour Harsh Chemicals Down the Drain
The main reason why people pour harsh chemicals down the drain on purpose is when they are trying to unclog a pipe. Other harsh chemicals that might end up in the drain include cleaning bleaches and related bathroom products. When these get to the septic tank, they act on the bacteria that decompose organic waste. If the bacteria die in huge numbers, the efficiency of the tank in decomposing waste reduces.
The solution to this problem is getting a septic pumping expert to help pump and drain the toxic chemicals out of the tank. When it is clean, they will introduce new bacteria to resume the tank's function.
Do Not Pour Grease Down the Drain
Grease is the third substance to avoid pouring down the drain. Grease clogs up the drainage and sewer pipes really fast. When waste starts backing up into your house, it ruins your plumbing and also the bathroom surfaces.
Call septic maintenance and pump-out services as soon as you notice a problem with your tank. They will help restore a balanced ecosystem inside the tank and increase the life of the tank.
If you have recently moved to a property which uses a septic tank, you may be finding the transition from mains sewerage difficult. There are so many things you need to know when using a septic tank. How often does the tank need to be cleaned? How do I stop the tank from becoming blocked? How can I best maintain the septic tank? This blog aims to answer some of these questions. I'm no expert but I have been using a septic tank for the past 4 years. During that time, I have learnt lots of cool things about the equipment.