Guarantee Stability And Avoid Untimely Ruptures - A Guide To Maintaining Your Home's Septic Tank
Moving out to a rural area can be a great way to establish a safe and rewarding home for your family while avoiding the hassles that come with more urban environments. However, those moves also require sacrificing some of the conveniences that come with denser living environments. Most rural homes rely on septic tanks rather than centralized sewer systems, so keeping those tanks in their best shape can fall to the home owner.
Below, you'll find a guide to some steps for maintaining your home's septic tank. Following these suggestions can allow you to avoid potentially dangerous ruptures and can help guarantee that water stays safely flowing throughout your home for many years to come.
Conserve Water
One of the largest drawbacks of a septic tank is that it has a limited capacity. However, what may start as a drawback can actually be a benefit. Water conservation is a worthy goal for a wide variety of reasons, and as a septic tank owner, it can quickly become a necessity.
Be sure to not leave faucets running while brushing your teeth or using the mirror in the bathroom. You should also consider purchasing low flow shower heads and appliances such as dishwashers and washing machines that are engineered to operate at lower water capacity.
Avoid Ground Pressure
When trying to guarantee the structural integrity of your septic tank, it's important that you consider the ground around it. When your tank is buried, you need to take caution to avoid storing heavy items on top of it that could cause the soil to shift or create pressure that could rupture the tank.
Marking off the surface above your tank is a great way to make sure that the ground stays clear. You should also try to locate the tank as far away from your home as is practical, as doing so will guarantee that you can get the maximum use of the ground surrounding your house without having to be concerned about the tank.
Be Conscious Of What You're Flushing
Biodegradable waste will naturally break down in your septic tank, but some items need to be kept clear of the drains. Personal hygiene items and children's diapers tend to be the biggest culprits when it comes to sewage disposal that should be avoided. Doing your part to stop these items from taking up space in your tank will go a long way toward making sure the capacity stays under control and guaranteeing that you don't cause unpleasant backups. But if you do experience problems, be sure to contact a septic tank service right away.
