When using a septic system, you can’t do things the same as you would if you used a municipal sewer system. Doing one thing wrong could kill the good bacteria in your system, wreaking havoc on everything. Luckily, you can do a few simple things to keep your septic system healthy and in good condition for years to come.
Be Mindful of Cleaning Products
Unfortunately, not all cleaning products are acceptable for people who use a septic system. Using large amounts of bleach and ammonia can damage your pipes and destroy the ecosystem in your septic tank. When looking for cleaning products, read the labels before you purchase them. They should clearly say that they are safe for septic systems, so you know you have nothing to worry about.
Use the Garbage, Not the Drain
One of the biggest mistakes people make when using a septic system is that they don’t watch what they put down the drain. Septic system repair Fort Worth professionals say that the best rule of thumb is that the only things that should go into a septic system are human waste, toilet paper and water. If you tend to use your sink as a garbage collector while you’re cooking, then make sure you place a small filter in the drain to help catch any pieces of food or plastic before they go down the drain.
Space Out Water Usage
Because your septic tank has to process the water you put into it, it can quickly become overloaded if you use too much water. Because of that, you want to ensure that you space out how often you’re using the water in your home. For example, instead of doing multiple loads of laundry in one day, spread them out throughout the week. If you had a big party and needed to run the dishwasher a few times one day, then don’t shower until the next day. The more you can space out the water usage, the better your tank will work and the longer it will last.