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Monitor scum and sludge levels on a yearly basis.
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Remember to minimizing grease, solids from
garbage disposals, chemicals and other materials from entering the
system. Discharge from grease traps cannot go to the drain field
unless it goes through the septic tank and is digested by bacteria.
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Try to cut back on excessive water usage to
prevent flooding or overworking the system. Try to stagger laundry
loads, showers and dishwashing at intervals and install water saving
devices on your shower heads, faucets and toilets.
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Remember to keep paints, thinners, harsh
chemicals, motor oil, pesticides and any other bacteria killing
fluids out of your drains.
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Non-biodegradable items will stay in your tank
forever and will either set at the bottom or possible work their way
into the drainfield or leachfield. Never flush anything down your
system that is not biodegradable such as; diapers, cigarettes,
plastics, sanitary napkins ect.
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Cut back on the use of your garbage disposal.
Overloading the tank can cause sludge to accumulate at a much faster
rate than the bacteria in your tank can handle.
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If cooking grease or oils are added to your
system, they must be broken down with bacterial strains specifically
designed to do so. It is best to avoid dispersing oils and grease
into your system but if it is unavoidable, bacterial additives are a
must to help ensure proper degradation.
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Have the solids pumped out of your septic tank
periodically. This will need to be done every 3 or more years
depending on your family size and if you are on a preventative
bacterial program.
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Have the tank inspected once a year by a licensed
professional to determine if and when a pump-out is necessary.
Baffles, casing and piping in the tank should also be checked for
wear or breakage.
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If you have a septic tank filter installed, spray
it off allowing the runoff to go back into the system at least once
a year.
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Never lay a hard surface such as asphalt or
concrete over your drainfield or leachfield. See:
planting on your drainfield for better landscape ideas
pertaining to your drainfield.
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Steer surface water downstream and away from your
system and field. Gutters, wastewater you’re your washing machine
and basement sump pumps should be routed to a different area of your
property.
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Do not drive vehicles or heavy equipment over
your drainfield area and if you’re are adding an addition or
installing a pool, warn contractors to stay clear of your system.
Broken leachfield lines and a cracked tank can cost in the tens of
thousands of dollar range to repair.
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Remove deep rooted trees or shrubs possibly
rooting into the drain field and damaging the piping or excessively
pulling moisture from the system.
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If you suspect a problem, get help and advice
immediately so as to avoid further damage to the system. Due to the
profit margin involved with system replacement, always get a second
or third pinion!
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Make a diagram of your system along with a
location map so as to have a clear understanding where the
drainfield is regardless of whatever landscape changes you make over
the years.
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Do not use harsh chemical drain openers on a
clogged drain. Try a drain snake or boiling water instead and keep
your toiletry cleaners as mild as possible (only strong enough to
get the job done) since they will eventually work down into the
system killing off healthy bacteria.
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Don’t allow the salt discharge from water
softeners to enter the system for drain field clogging and
compaction can occur over the years. If you do have a softener
installed, maintain your bacteria levels with a bacterial additive
to prevent buildup.