Monday, August 9, 2010

Maintaining Your Septic System Part II

As you know, maintaining your septic system can benefit your pocketbook, the environment and human health. There are many simple steps you as a homeowner can follow to extend the life of your system and protect your septic system from damage. A typical system consists of two components: a septic tank and a leaching bed, and both parts require maintenance.

Treat your tank with care

It is important to have your tank pumped out every three to five years by a professional to remove all sludge and scum buildup as well as have your tank inspected to look for leaks or cracks. One thing homeowners can do to maximize the efficiency and life span of their tank is to conserve water in the house. Less water entering the tank means less wastewater that needs to be treated. This means you should spread out laundry loads, fix all leaks, and invest in high efficiency appliances. Also, watch what you put down the drain, only materials that break down naturally should be getting flushed away. Do not use your toilets and sinks as garbage cans!

Love your leaching bed
Your leaching bed plays an important role in the treatment of household wastewater; it requires simple maintenance in order to perform properly. For instance, all vehicles should stay off the leaching bed as excess weight will compact the soil and the water will not drain properly under these soil conditions. In addition to affecting the soil, heavy objects such as structures or vehicles can damage the tiles and pipes within the leaching bed. Also, only plant grass over your bed, other vegetation, like trees have roots that can clog the tiles. Another tip to protect your leaching bed is to direct all surface water sources (roof drains, runoff) away from your system, a flooded leaching bed will result in a slower treatment process.

With these tips, you should have a happy and functional septic system!

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