Did you recently have a septic tank installed in your home? You may be unaware of what it takes to keep the system in great condition. Septic tanks actually need bacteria to operate, which is why the things you put down your drains can upset the balance required to process waste. Here are some ways you can prevent accidental problems with your septic tank.
Watch Your Soap Usage
You most likely use soap every single day in your home. It can be used to wash your clothes, dishes, hands, or just your home in general. You probably did not imagine how too much soap can be bad for a septic tank.
Antibacterial soap has the potential to kill bacteria in a septic tank. Unfortunately, bacteria is what the tank uses to break down solid waste. Be careful with how much antibacterial soap goes down your drains, or the tank could end up with not enough bacteria to do its job.
Soap from your washing machine can also cause the pipes to become clogged. Try to stick to using the recommended amount of laundry detergent when running a wash. High efficiency washing machines require less detergent than older machines, so adjust your detergent usage accordingly.
Avoid cheap laundry detergent because it can have fillers in it that cause clogged pipes. Soap scum will affect not only your septic tank but also the pipes inside your home leading to the tank.
Watch What Foods Go Down The Drain
Do you have a garbage disposal in your kitchen? This could also contribute to issues with how your septic tank operates, even though the appliance is quite handy. The problem with a garbage disposal is that homeowners often think that anything can go down a drain as long is it gets processed through the garbage disposal. This is not true, since some items should never go down the drain.
For example, egg shells actually turn into a substance that is similar to sand, which will not be great for your pipes or septic tank. Pasta and rice can actually expand when exposed to water and cause clogs. Grease hardens once exposed to water, which is why it should always be poured into a container and disposed of in the trash.
Not sure if you are properly taking care of your new septic tank? Contact a septic tank service contractor to learn more about effective septic installation.
