New home? Congratulations! Does it come with your first-ever septic tank system? Even better. Don’t let your new system intimidate you. Septic tanks have a long history of great service, taking care of the yuckier side of plumbing and sewage to keep you and your family healthy and safe. Still, it can be quite a change if you’re used to living in homes already connected to a city sewer system, as they demand a bit more involvement in their upkeep. Here’s a friendly guide to septic tank dos and don’ts for new homeowners like you!
Do Perform Regular Inspections
While you won’t have to perform the inspections yourself, you must hire a professional septic tank technician to complete the task. Have your tank inspected every three years after asking the previous tenants how long ago their last inspection was, or every three years after your first inspection if they’re unsure. The technician will inspect the tank, assess its condition, identify potential and current issues, and decide if it’s due for a pumping. You don’t want to put these inspections off, as neglecting your septic system can incur several environmental consequences. Keep your tank running and prevent environmental and health hazards with regular inspections.
Don’t Dispose of Hazardous Materials or Non-Biodegradables
You probably know enough to never flush anything besides water and human excrement down a toilet. Following those guidelines is extra important for septic tank systems. These systems process exactly two things: biodegradable toilet paper and human waste. Flushing grease, oil, chemicals, poisons, medications, solid and non-biodegradable matter, and other items down the toilet is a sure way to hurt your tank and harm the helpful bacteria that live in your tank and break down waste. Make sure your family and guests also know and follow the rules.
Do Conserve Water
Too much of a good thing can hurt you. That saying also goes for water. Too much water overloads the system which makes it harder for your tank to process wastewater. Stay on top of leaky faucets, add water-efficient fixtures, and try not to use too much water for your various needs. Conserving water protects your septic tank and is good for the ecosystem.
Don’t Use Additives
Too many hucksters are out there promoting miracle chemicals that supposedly improve your septic tank’s efficiency. Don’t believe them. Many of these products do more harm than good. They can disrupt the natural balance of the bacteria and other microorganisms in your tank, killing off the microscopic critters that help turn bad water into good water. Additives may also impair your tank’s performance and contaminate groundwater.
Those are just a few septic tank dos and don’ts for new homeowners. Maintaining your septic tank means safeguarding your property, your health, and the environment. Good luck in your new home, and may your septic tank system keep things flowing!
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Susie Young Baxter, CEO, has published PanoramaNOW Magazine for 31 years. Her hobbies are Camping, Boating, Hiking, Nature, Gardening and Outdoor Activities. She is an Artist, Graphic Designer, an Avid Seamstress, Dabbles in Homemade Crafts and Landscaping. Since her Father was a Health Teacher, she also likes homeopathic Health Solutions. Since blogging started over 10 years ago, PanoramaNow has been added to Newsbreak – a national news affiliate.
