Your septic system is an important part of your Salina home’s wastewater management and requires regular, ongoing care to stay functional. From regular pumping to water conservation and correct waste disposal, there are several important steps to protecting your septic system’s health and longevity. Here’s a look at 10 steps to protect your septic system and keep it running smoothly.
1. Regular Pumping
Regular pumping helps to protect your septic system, prevent buildup, and maintain proper functioning. Schedule pumping every 3-5 years to get rid of accumulated solids and excess sludge that can back up into the system. This proactive maintenance will help you extend the lifespan of your septic tank.
2. Water Conservation
Water conservation is important for limiting the strain placed on your septic system. Fixing leaks quickly and using high-efficiency appliances all help minimize overall water usage. If you can conserve more water, you’ll lessen the amount of wastewater that enters your septic system and prevent potential system overload issues.
3. Correct Waste Disposal
Proper waste disposal is important to prevent clogs and system damage in your septic system. Avoid flushing non-biodegradable items like wipes and sanitary products down the toilet. You should also try to get rid of chemicals, grease, and other hazardous materials responsibly (not by using your septic system).
4. Always Use Septic-Safe Products
Using septic-safe products is important for maintaining a healthy balance of bacteria in your septic tank. Choose personal care products and cleaning products labeled “septic-safe” to prevent chemicals from harming your system. These products also help preserve the effectiveness and longevity of your system.
5. Maintain Your Drain Field
Regular drain field maintenance can help prevent soil compaction and ensure that wastewater is properly filtered. Do not park vehicles or place any structures over the drain field area, as this can impact how waste moves through the drainage. We recommend planting grass over the drain field, as it will help keep the soil compact for optimal performance.
6. Grass Planting
Planting grass over your drain field will help keep the soil well-structured and compacted and limit wastewater erosion. Grass roots also boost microbial activity, which is wonderful for breaking down wastewater’s organic matter.
7. Avoid Chemicals
Limiting the use of harsh chemicals such as drain cleaners or bleach can help protect the bacteria in your septic tank. Chemicals often disrupt the natural waste breakdown process and can lead to imbalances and system issues. To keep your septic system healthy, we recommend looking for an eco-friendly cleaning product and avoiding pouring chemicals down the drain.
8. Regular Inspections
Regular inspections by a professional are critical for finding and fixing issues within your septic system. The earlier you catch an issue, the less costly it will be to correct it. Schedule inspections with a reputable plumbing company every 1 to 3 years to look for blockages, leaks, or other signs of internal structural deterioration.
9. Monitor Water Usage
Monitoring your water usage will keep your system from overloading and limit the number of backups and failures you experience. Try to spread out activities like showers and laundry to limit the wastewater volume entering the system. Too many water activities at once can unnecessarily strain your septic system.
10. Explain These Tips to Household Members
It’s important to explain these tips to everyone in the household. Too often, one person understands how best to protect their septic system, but the rest of the household doesn’t and engages in poor practices. If everyone can work as a team and follow these tips, your septic system will last longer, work better, and cost you less money over time.
Contact Us
Maintaining a properly running septic system is critical for the health of everyone in your home and the functionality of your internal plumbing structures. By implementing these 10 practical tips, you can prevent costly repairs and extend the lifespan of your septic system. Salina Septic Service is here to help Salina homeowners with their septic system maintenance, portable restrooms, roll-off dumpster rentals, and any other plumbing-related needs. We are committed to customer satisfaction on every project. If you have any questions or need professional assistance with your septic system, please contact Salina Septic Service today.
