Septic systems are cost-effective and environmentally friendly compared to other wastewater plumbing solutions. But they require regular inspection and pumping.
Wastewater from a home’s toilets and other household drains flows into a septic tank. Solid wastes sink to the bottom of the tank, and microbes treat it as sludge.
Save Money
The septic tank drain field, absorption field, or leach field acts as a natural filter for wastewater. It’s important to avoid sending too much waste down the septic system so the drain field can handle it without overloading. Signs of an overloaded drain field include a foul odor, a soggy or swampy area in and around the septic system, and slow-to-drain kitchen and bathroom sinks.
If you want to save money, remember that it’s best to let a professional septic tank draining Orlando FL clean your septic tanks. Using harsh chemicals to clear clogs in a septic tank can damage the pipes and lead to more costly repairs down the line.
A septic tank is a great way to cut pollution because the sewage is strained through a drain field or leach field before reaching the soil, which helps cut down on harmful bacteria that could go into local waterways and kill wildlife. Septage (solid waste from the septic tank) can also fertilize local plants and grass.
Avoid Clogs
You can do a lot to keep your septic tank system from getting clogged. Even if you end up with a clog, it can often be resolved without needing professional help or using toxic chemicals.
For example, you can avoid clogs by only flushing bodily waste and toilet paper down the drain. Items like wet wipes, nappies, and hygiene products are not meant to enter the septic system and can cause significant problems.
It is also important to avoid dumping fats, oils, and grease down the drain. This can cause clogs as they will solidify on the sides of the septic tank and the pipes leading to it. This can restrict the flow of waste and lead to a buildup that will eventually prevent the septic tank from working correctly. Raw sewage can go back into your home and pose a health hazard. Avoid this by having your septic tank drained regularly.
Prevent Water Damage
A septic tank can prevent water damage to your house and the environment. Leaky sewage lines can pollute the surrounding soil and cause flooding, but septic tanks keep wastewater inside your property where it belongs.
Septic tanks are sized for a particular wastewater flow rate, depending on the number of bedrooms in your home. The tank may overflow and contaminate the drain field when this rate is exceeded.
Overloading the septic tank with too much water may disrupt or dilute the bacteria that break down solid waste in the septic system. This can result in clogs and system failure.
Using fewer water-consuming appliances, such as washing machines, can help reduce the amount of wastewater that enters the septic tank. Similarly, it’s best to avoid flushing wads of toilet paper or throwing anything down the drain that can’t break down quickly, such as baby wipes and feminine hygiene products. Avoid gardening or planting trees near your septic system, too. These roots can ensnarl, damage pipes, and expose your family to potentially dangerous pathogens.
Prevent Disease
Septic tanks are a safe way to dispose of human waste. However, the sewage can still contain harmful germs that can cause disease. The best way to prevent these germs from reaching the earth’s surface is to have your septic tank inspected by a licensed professional regularly.
Your septic system has a drain field, also called an absorption field or leach field, that sieves wastewater and other liquids through the soil. To help prevent clogs and water damage, landscape your drain field with grass and other shallow-rooted plants instead of trees or shrubs with deep roots.
Reduce the amount of wastewater that enters your septic system by installing sink strainers, hair, and lint traps on washing machines, and shower heads and faucets that use less water. Limit household members to one shower daily and wash laundry over a few days rather than back-to-back loads. Also, do not park or drive vehicles over the septic tank or drain field. Doing so can saturate the soil, preventing the system from functioning correctly.
