What A Waste: How To Care For Your Septic System
If you have a septic system, you need to take every precaution you can to protect it from damage. A malfunctioning septic system can lead to sewage backups, foul odors, and other serious problems. The information provided below can help you extend the life of your septic system and avoid costly problems.
Go Easy on the Beauty Products
When you've got a septic system, you need to go easy on the beauty products. You might not realize this but some of the products you use every day can actually harm your septic system. One thing that you really need to avoid is the use of bath oils. Those bath oils provide a relaxing experience after a long day, but once they get emptied into the septic system, they can cause serious clogs.
Not only that but the oil can also coat the inside of the seepage pit, making it impossible for water to be absorbed into the soil. To avoid these problems with your septic system, avoid using bath oils. It's also a good idea to limit your use of hot oil treatments for your hair as well.
Don't Flush Your Expired Medication
If you've been in the habit of flushing your expired medication down the toilet, it's time to put a stop to that practice. You might think that flushing your medication is safe since it's not going through to the municipal sewer system, but that's not correct. Your medication will be sent through to the seepage field, where it will be absorbed into the soil – and into the groundwater supply. Not only that, but the buildup of medication can destroy the healthy bacteria your septic tank needs to digest the waste. To protect your septic system, and the groundwater, be sure to dispose of your expired medication through a local residential hazardous waste site.
Steer Clear of Automatic Toilet Bowl Cleaners
When it comes to household chores, toilet cleaning is probably at the top of the list for least enjoyable. To get around the task, you might be using one of those automatic toilet bowl cleaners. Unfortunately, those automatic cleaners can destroy your septic system by releasing too many chemicals into the tank. To reduce the risk of damage, remove the automatic toilet bowl cleaners so you can control the flow of chemicals to your septic tank.
Talk to Your Septic Service Provider About Additives
There are a lot of products on the market that are designed to extend the life of your septic tank. Unfortunately, most of those additives do more harm than good. First, they can kill the healthy bacteria that you have in your tank. Second, they can cause an overgrowth of bacteria in your tank. Finally, they can damage the gaskets and filters in your tank. To avoid that type of damage, talk to your septic care provider before using any septic system additives.
For more information, contact a company like B & B Drain Tech Inc.