Top 5 Tips for Septic Tank Maintenance
Your septic tank can be a useful way to manage your waste water for many years to come. However, if you want to make the most of your investment and ensure your tank remains in good condition for the foreseeable future, you will need to take some steps to stay on top of the maintenance of the unit.
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Keeping your tank in good condition will not only extend the lifespan of the unit, it will reduce the likelihood of unexpected breakdowns or faults developing, which can be expensive to rectify. Read on for our top 5 tips for septic tank maintenance.
Make your property more water efficient
If you are constantly overloading your system with too much water then you’ll put excessive strain on your tank and cause it to become weakened, damaged or blocked.
By making your appliances more water efficient, you can reduce the workload of your septic tank, and thus extend its lifespan.
You can make your property more efficient in its water use in a few different ways, whether it’s fixing a leaking toilet, only using your washing machine or dishwasher for a full load, or installing energy-efficient toilets or shower heads, a few small changes can make a big difference.
Learn what you can and can’t pour down your drains
There are some substances that most definitely should not be disposed of down your drain, as the bacteria in your septic tank work on a delicate balance and the introduction of certain elements can either upset the pH balance and prevent the bacteria from breaking down waste, or cause blockages.
Some of the items you should refrain from disposing of down your sinks or toilet include:
- Fats, oils or grease
- Disposable diapers
- Wet wipes
- Coffee grounds, egg shells and nut shells
- Cigarettes with filters inside
- Feminine sanitary care items
- Paper towels
- Paints or chemicals
Ensuring that none of these items make their way into your septic tank will help maintain the system and prevent damages.
Carry out regular inspections
By regularly inspecting the condition of your septic tank, you’ll be more likely to spot developing faults earlier on, allow for a quicker and cheaper septic tank repair. If you never take a look at the state of your tank, you may be in for a nasty surprise if it suddenly stops working one day.
Take a look at the tank itself, any visible components, the drain field and any ground surrounding the tank for any signs of damage or leaking.
By inspecting your tank, you can also be aware of how full it is so you can book your appointment to have the septic tank emptied in advance.
Don’t worry, your septic tank doesn’t need to be inspected too frequently. A septic tank cleaning job once in every few months will suffice!
Protect your drain field
Your drain field is just as important as the tank itself, and damages that occur here can negatively affect how well your septic tank can deal with waste – you may even find that your tank becomes backlogged and overflows as it doesn’t have a good outlet for the waste to go to.
Make sure you never park or drive on your drain field, and you should avoid placing plants or trees in this area as root infiltration can interfere with the flow of the waste water.
Have your tank pumped
Regular septic tank pumping as part of routine septic tank services is required to keep it working optimally. It is commonly said that a tank will only need to be pumped every 3-5 years, depending on how much use it gets.
However, while it is unlikely that your tank will fill up so quickly, we’d recommend that you check in with a specialist for your annual septic tank pumping.
The more waste your tank holds, the less efficiently it will run and the more likely that it will become damaged in some way; it is better to be cautious than risk this happening!
If you require septic tank repair or maintenance, our septic tank specialists can help. Our 24 hours a day, seven days a week septic tank service means that no matter the time of day, if you’re facing issues with septic tank & septic tank pumping, we’ll be happy to help remedy your problem. Get in contact today to find out more including our routine septic tank emptying service and all our septic tank drainage services.
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