Your on-site waste water treatment system is an asset to your property. Do not make it a liability. It is more economical to use than the city sewer plant and it is a far better way to treat household waste. However, it has to be maintained. Your septic tank is not a landfill. DO NOT use your system as you would a trash can. It will fill up sooner with nondigestible items and cause you problems. Nothing should be put into your septic but toilet paper and bodily waste.
DO NOT
put the following items in your septic tank: Wet ones, paper towels, feminine hygiene products, diapers, rage, noodles, rice, Q-tips, dental floss string, condoms, egg shells, grease, Drano, antifreeze, paint, muriatic acid, pine sol, coffee grounds, cat litter, and any toxic chemicals. Any product that promotes easy cleaning can be harmful to your septic system.
DO
flush toilet paper and bodily waste. These are the ONLY things that should enter the tank.
Limit water use and intensity. Continual turbulence is not good for your system. Your septic tank typically needs 36-48 hours of resting time for settling to occur. Limit your laundry to 2 loads at any one time. Dispensing large amounts of water at one time, such as hot tubs and water softeners can overload your system.
Limit your use of bleach and products that are labeled antibacterial such as: dish soap, shampoo, mouth wash, and hair care products.
Limit drastically your use of the garbage disposal. It is a good idea to take it out of service. Your on-site system was not made to process these solids. A garbage disposal can add up to 50% more solids to your tank than you would normally use.
Water Conservation Measures: ETL showerheads deliver a 1.6 gallon shower with the feel of a 6.0 gallon. Check for leaking toilets. There are good low-flow toilets on the market today. However, if you buy a cheap low-flow, you will be flushing it several times and defeating the purpose.
Above all, periodic maintenance is the key to longevity of your system. Whether you are our customer or not, If you think you have a problem, call us. We will be happy to come to your home and look at your issue for a “no charge” consultation because we are familiar with your system and want your onsite system to give you many years of good service.