5 Ways to Take Excellent Care of Your Septic Tank

When you have a septic tank, you want to ensure that you take good care of it. You don't want your septic tank to stop working; if that happens, the waste in your home will have nowhere to go, which means you can't use any of the sinks, tubs, or toilets in your home.

1. Work to Conserve Water

First, you are going to want to work to conserve water. Reducing the amount of water that goes into your system will produce less agitation, which will help to keep the waste in your tank at the bottom of the tank. Doing this will help to protect your drain field.

It can be easy to reduce and conserve water. Switch to low-flow water toilets, showerheads, and faucets. These simple switches can help you conserve water and reduce the strain on your system.

2. Read Product Labels

Second, with a septic tank, it is essential to read labels. You will want to look for septic system items for any cleaning item that you use on your faucets, toilets, shower, or tub. Look for toilet paper that is septic system friendly. Avoid anything that says it is flushable, such as wipes. Flushable doesn't mean safe for your septic.

3. Keep Food Out

Third, you are going to want to keep food waste out of your tank. Use a strainer on your kitchen sink to grab any stray food bits that didn't make their way into the trash. If you have a garbage disposal, avoid using it to dispose of food; only use it to clean up food scraps. Food can significantly increase the number of solids in your system, causing it to need to be pumped on a more frequent basis.

4. Pump the Tank Frequently

Fourth, it is essential to pump your tank regularly. Pumping your tank regularly will help prevent solids from flowing into your drain field. When solids pour into the drain field, it can cause severe damage to the drain field that can be expensive to repair.

No matter how many additives you put down your drains into your tank, none of them is going to remove the solid waste in your tank. You need to pump your tank to get rid of that waste. It is a good idea to get your tank pumped every few years to avoid a build-up of solid waste.

5. Inspect Your Tank

In addition to pumping your tank, you are going to want to inspect it as well. There are multiple moving parts on a tank that need to be taken care of; ensure that they are all working correctly by getting a yearly tank inspection. An annual inspection will also help ensure that the bacteria levels are right inside the tank.

When it comes to having a septic tank, you will want to conserve water and keep foods out of the tank. Read product labels and be careful with what you put down your drains. Work with a septic service professional to inspect your tank yearly and pump it regularly.