Common Holiday Mistakes with Septic Tank
With the holiday season upon us, you are probably making plenty of preparations to celebrate with friends and family. If you are one of twenty percent of U.S. households with a septic system installed in the yard, then you have one extra thing to prepare for: caring for the septic tank during the celebrations. Your friends at Septic Blue have prepared this article that goes over some common mistakes that you should and can avoid. If you end up needing questions answered or an emergency septic repair, then call Septic Blue. We are happily available 24/7.
Careful with Those Leftover Fats, Oils, and Greases
The rich and hearty food is often what makes a holiday dinner a HOLIDAY dinner. These rich and hearty foods come with plenty of fats, oils, and greases, however. Also known as FOG, fats, oils, and greases can be disastrous for your drain line and septic system. Pouring used FOG down the drains should not be an option. They can harden in the drain line and cause blockages. They can also disturb the beneficial bacteria in your septic tank. An overload of FOG can keep the bacteria from efficiently breaking down waste, leading to a prematurely filled septic tank that must be pumped out.
Not Letting Your Guests Know of Proper Septic Care
You are probably going to have a lot of guests over during the holidays. You might know that you have a sensitive septic system opposed to being connected to a centralized sewer system, but your guests might not. Remind your guests that they should be careful with what goes in the drains and the toilet. In addition to what we reviewed in the previous subtitle, remind your guests about what should not be flushed:
- Hygiene products
- Diapers
- Paper towels
- Cleaning wipes
- And anything other than toilet paper, pee, and poo!
Using an Exorbitant Amount of Water
Your septic tank is limited in volume and the amount of waste and wastewater that it can hold. The drain field is also sensitive to the volume of incoming wastewater. Using too much water can overload and overwhelm the septic tank and drain field, causing water backups or flooding in the yard. You can prevent this by spreading out water usage by:
- Staggering shower times
- Avoid running the washing machine and dishwasher at the same time
- Installing water efficient toilets and appliances
Forgetting to Pump Your Septic Tank in Advance
Your septic tank should be pumped about once every three or four years, depending on the size of your household and the septic tank. If you do not know when the next septic tank pumping is due, then it is best to have your septic tank pumped before your guests arrive. This way, your celebrations will not be interrupted by an unsightly septic disaster. The septic professionals at Septic Blue are always ready to help with your septic pumping. Call Septic Blue now to schedule your flexible appointment.
