2 Easy Septic Tank Maintenance Tasks
A septic tank is necessary for a lot of places. If you live in one of those places, then you need to make sure that you're maintaining your septic tank properly. You don't want to wake up one day to your septic tank not working because that means you can't flush your toilet or have anything go down your drain. The worst-case scenario is that you are going to end up with the contents of your septic tank all over your yard. There are several things that you can do to help maintain your septic tank.
Get it Pumped
When you flush anything down your drain, it ends up in your septic tank. Water can move through the baffles of the tank and eventually out to the leach field of your septic system. The solids don't do that. They help to create a sludge that builds up in the bottom of your tank. There are bacteria in your tank who munch up some of those solids but they add to the sludge through their own waste products. Eventually, that sludge starts to build up, and it will block the baffles that allow the water to move from one chamber of the tank to the next chamber. Pumping the tank gets rid of all that sludge in the bottom of your septic tank and basically gives you a nice, fresh start. On average, a residential septic tank will hold about 1000 gallons. For the average family, that means it will need to be pumped once every four or so years. It's a quick and easy task, and it is much less expensive than having to do major repairs.
Go Shopping
Your grocery shopping can help maintain your septic tank. Everything that gets flushed down your drains will end up in the tank. Some things can have a deleterious effect on your septic tank and can cause you some serious problems. That can include things like your washing detergent, toilet paper, and household cleaners. When you are grocery shopping, you can start maintaining your septic tank by being careful with what you buy. You want to make sure that everything you buy says that it's safe for septic tanks. You should avoid chlorine bleach because it can kill the bacteria in your tank.
If you have a septic tank, you want to make sure that it is well maintained, because that will make it last longer and end up saving you money in the long run. Talk to a company like Linn Septic Service to learn more.
