Being a homeowner comes with a long list of responsibilities. You have to take care of your home inside and out as well as the property surrounding it. Of course, the matters that people can see on the surface often get the lion’s share of the attention while those that are out of sight and out of mind sometimes go ignored. Your septic system certainly falls into the latter category, but it deserves its fair share of care.
People usually don’t think about their septic system until something goes wrong with it. Unfortunately, by that time, repairs are usually far more extensive and costly than they would’ve been with ongoing care. With the right measures and maintenance services from the professionals at Johnson Septic Service, you can keep your septic system working effectively.
Regular Maintenance Is Essential
One of the best things you can do for your septic system is to schedule regular maintenance. Routine inspections, pump-outs, cleanings, and other measures can help keep your septic tank and drain field working the way they’re supposed to. Ongoing maintenance will also allow professionals to catch problems early on and resolve them before they have a chance to grow. It’ll save you a great deal of frustration and money in the long run.
Know What Should and Shouldn’t Go Down Your Drains
Another crucial aspect of septic system care is understanding what should and shouldn’t go down your drains. Grease, coffee grounds, wipes, and certain other items can clog your drains. At the same time, the natural bacteria in your septic system may not be able to break down non-biodegradable items the way they should. As such, they’ll ultimately build up in the tank.
Furthermore, harsh household chemicals can kill those natural bacteria. That, in turn, may disrupt the ecosystem in the tank and keep it from working properly. Only allow biodegradable substances to go down your drains to keep your septic system working effectively and efficiently.
Be Conservative With Water Usage
Additionally, it’s important to avoid using too much water too quickly. Septic systems can only handle so much water at any given time. When you have, say, the dishwasher, washing machine, and multiple showers draining at the same time, that could overwhelm your system and potentially push solids that haven’t yet been broken down into your drain field. Be conservative with your water usage and spread out those previously mentioned tasks a bit. That’ll help prevent unnecessary septic system problems.
Protect Your Drain Field
Taking care of your drain field is also essential. Avoid parking vehicles on it, building structures over it, and planting trees or shrubbery in and around it. Roots can work their way into pipes, and excessive weight can cause soil compaction. Both of those issues can interfere with the way the drain field works. Keep the area clear and allow the soil in it to breathe to protect the system and keep it performing properly.
Watch for Problems
Finally, be sure to keep an eye out for early warning signs of trouble. Those can include gurgling pipes, slow drains, foul odors, and unusually soggy ground around the septic tank or drain field. If you notice any of those problems, contact a professional as quickly as possible to have it addressed. That’ll help keep developing issues from getting out of hand.
Taking the Best Possible Care of Your Septic System
Septic systems often get overlooked, but they deserve their fair share of attention. Your septic system is a crucial part of your home and property, and if it isn’t working properly, it can cause serious problems. Watching what goes down your drains, being careful with your water usage, and taking care of the drain field are important. Professional maintenance and acting quickly at the first signs of trouble are equally essential. Those measures will help keep your septic system in good condition and working properly for years to come.
