The septic tank in your home is an underground storage tank where wastewater from the kitchen, bathroom, and laundry gets collected. It then flows into a series of perforated pipes and eventually to a leach field, which allows the wastewater to seep into the ground and be naturally filtered. A septic system needs regular maintenance to ensure its proper operation and longevity. This maintenance includes the septic tank and the leach field.
It Prevents Flooding
Flooding can cause a variety of problems for homes with private septic systems. It can damage soil, compact the drain field and interfere with the system’s proper operation. To prevent flooding, take steps to minimize wastewater before and during storms. This includes limiting home water usage and conserving water as much as possible. Adding 8 to 12 inches of mulch around your septic tank, pipes, and drain field is also important. This helps the soil retain oxygen and avoids compacting the area. It is also important not to introduce paints, oils, solvents, cleaning agents, pesticides, and other chemicals into the septic tank or drain field. These substances can harm the beneficial bacteria that break down sewage. Ensuring the building sewer has a backflow preventer during a flood and that all drains are plugged into basement areas is especially important. This will prevent sewage from backing into your home and your septic system. It is good to check reputable websites such as foothillsanitary.com for more information about septic tank maintenance.
It Prevents Damage
Septic systems are an effective and affordable way of treating waste. They reduce or eliminate wastewater pollutants that threaten human health and the environment. To ensure a septic system’s long-term function and sustainability, it is important to maintain it properly. Failure to do so can lead to serious issues, which may require a costly repair or replacement. According to experts like Foothill Portables, the most critical step in ensuring the health of your septic system is to keep only biodegradable waste in it. You should only flush human waste, toilet paper, and dry cleaning sheets. You should also avoid using drain cleaners or other chemicals that can damage the good bacteria in your septic tank. These products can clog your pipes and cause damage to the tank itself, which could result in required repairs.
It Prevents Unpleasant Smells
In a healthy and functioning septic system, waste flows through drains and into a tank. This tank contains beneficial bacteria that break down the waste. These bacteria produce enzymes that dissolve the organic matter and digest it. The treated effluent and gasses are safely discharged from the tank. However, this process can be disrupted by several factors. For example, foreign objects in the tank, such as nappies, toys, and sanitary products, can cause blockages that prevent proper digestion. This can lead to an unpleasant odor in the home. This smell is caused by the gases that need to be released from the tank, such as carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, and methane. In a properly working septic system, these gases should be able to escape through the vent stack on the roof. But winter often interferes with this process. To learn more about wastewater treatment system please visit Cleanawater.
It Prevents Health Issues
A broken septic system can make you sick, cause water problems in your yard and even contaminate your drinking water. That is why septic tank maintenance is so important. A properly maintained septic system will last longer and save you money in the long run by preventing expensive repairs later on down the road. The septic tank is the heart of your onsite wastewater treatment system and should be inspected regularly to keep it running smoothly. Also, have a professional pump out the tank occasionally so it can be re-filled with fresh, clean, untreated wastewater. This is the best way to keep your system running smoothly for years. It will also help to reduce the amount of sludge and scum that can accumulate in your septic tank, which can shorten its lifespan and endanger your soil treatment system.
