3 Tips to Prevent Problems in Your Septic System

If your home has a septic system, it's very important that you treat it properly if you want to avoid a nasty clog that can lead to all sorts of issues. This includes limiting the amount of waste that goes into it as much as you can so you don't have to get it pumped too often. Here are a few tips to keep in mind if you want to keep your septic system problem-free and working properly for many years to come.

Avoid Sending Harsh Chemicals Down the Drain

Your septic system is meant to handle wastewater, paper products like toilet paper and not much else. That said, the one thing you never want to put down the drain is anything with a harsh chemical inside of it. Harsh cleaners, paint thinners, motor oil and so on should not be disposed of through your plumbing system. Dispose of these items in the trash or have a hazardous waste service pick it up.

Sending anything harsh down into your septic system is going to end up killing the bacteria that the system uses to break down waste. Kill off enough of it and your entire system will back up in short order because the bacteria is no longer around to do its job.

Don't Deposit a Deluge 

Your septic system can only handle so much water at one time. This is why it's a very good idea to stagger your showers as a family and your washing machine use throughout the day or week. Sending a massive deluge of water into the system all at once will cause major issues because the system will not be able to keep up. Spend the entire day doing countless loads of laundry and you're likely to notice the water causing a backup problem by the end of the day.

Scrape it Off

Besides harsh chemicals, one of your septic system's worst enemies is grease. The problem for many homeowners is that grease is created every single time you cook. Whatever you do, do not let your grease go down the kitchen drain. The same goes for any leftovers on your plate.

If you don't like the idea of drenching your kitchen garbage bag in grease, get a smaller bag specifically for grease and leftovers. One idea is to save the plastic bags from the grocery store for this task. After every meal, get rid of the grease and any unwanted food in one of these bags, tie it up and take it out to the trash. 

If you encounter any problems with your septic tank, contact a septic system services south company, such as LP Murray, today.