On average, a septic tank must be pumped every few years in order to prevent an overflow. However, some homeowners will find that their septic tanks require maintenance on a far more frequent basis. In most cases, this is due to an above average water consumption rate or a septic tank that is not effectively breaking down solid waste. Thankfully, both of these issues can be managed by making small changes in the way you complete daily tasks.

Reducing Your Water Consumption

When waste water is sent to your septic tank, the solid waste is separated from the water and is broken down into sludge or scum by the bacteria that are present in your tank. Once the solid waste as been successfully removed from the water, the clean waste water is released into your runoff field. The problem is, if you are consuming too much water, your septic tank will not have enough time to properly remove the solid waste from your water before it is released into the runoff field. This can result in the septic tank or runoff field becoming clogged. In the end, this problem will result in an overflow of your septic system.

The good news is, you can avoid this issue by simply reducing your water consumption. This can be done by taking small steps, such as turning off the water while brushing your teeth or waiting until your dishwasher is full before running it. While these changes may be minor, they can ultimately reduce your water consumption by tens of thousands of gallons each year.

Preserving Bacteria Levels

As discussed above, the bacteria in your septic tank play an important role in the breakdown of solid wastes. If the bacteria levels inside your tank drop too low, solid waste cannot be broken down and you will eventually experience an overflow unless your tank is pumped on a frequent basis.

One of the most common causes of low bacteria levels within a septic tank is the use of antibacterial products around the house. This is because many people rely on these products to help kill germs on household surfaces, as well as their bodies. In many cases, homeowners will not even realize that these products are also killing the bacteria inside their septic tank.

In order to avoid the negative consequences of using antibacterial products, consider making small changes to your cleaning and personal hygiene routines. For instance, rather than using antibacterial soap each time you wash your hands, you can choose to use a mild soap and then follow up with a hand sanitizing product. Since this sanitizer stays on your skin rather than being washed off, it will never be introduced to your septic tank. For more advice, contact a company like Southern Sanitary Systems Inc.

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