Septic tank maintenance is one of the most dreaded chores for any home and business owners in Seminole and Orange Counties, but ignoring it will only cause big problems later on. Professionals recommend the septic tank needs to be pumped and cleaned out every 1 to 3 years depending on the usage to remove any sludge and solids that won’t decompose any further. This will avoid saturation of the drain field and backups.
Most homes in Central Florida have a 1,000 gallon septic tank, which accommodates the average family of four.
Mother Earth News explains; the delicate cycle of pumping waste water from your home or business into the septic tank, where it is separated and decomposes. The waste water drains into the field and the solids are pumped out by the septic trucks. What many people don’t realize is that what they put down the toilet or drain can disrupt this cycle, which causes the tank to fill up quicker and back up.
Check back with us next week when we will discuss the items you put down your drain and toilet that can potentially hazardous and kill the bacteria essential for the septic system to work properly.
If a septic system is not suitably located, properly designed, carefully installed, and adequately maintained, it can fail. It can also fail if solids clog it. Failing systems can threaten your family and neighbors’ health, reduce the value of your property, and cost a lot of money to repair. They can also contaminate groundwater, lakes, or streams with bacteria, nitrates, viruses, chemicals and chlorides. These routine actions and common issues to keep an eye out for listed below will help you keep your septic system flowing smoothly and safely.
Septic System Care
Record Keeping Keep copies of all system drawings/plans of the site, installed equipment, and service records with all other home appliance documents. Record all applicable information.
Laundry/Water Usage Spread wash loads throughout the week. Instead of liquid fabric softener, dryer sheets should be used. Use low-suds, biodegradable and low phosphate detergents.
Leaky Fixtures Large quantities of water are added to your wastewater system when you have leaking fixtures. Timely detection and repair can help to maximize the life of your system, especially the drain field.
Food Wastes Garbage disposal waste is acceptable – if allowed by your local regulatory authority. However, it may lead to more frequent removal of solids from your septic tank. For large quantities of food, please dispose of in the garbage.
Fats, Oils, and Grease Be aware of too much grease (i.e. animal fats, vegetable oils, lard, etc) down the drain may overload or prevent the bacteria from fully breaking down the waste.
Disinfectants/Cleaners Use citricacid, chlorine, and/or other biodegradable cleaners according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Products containing quaternary ammonia or pine-oil based cleaners should not be used. Use drain cleaners as a last resort to unclog pipes.
Floor Drains from Garage and Workrooms Should be diverted away from your septic system. Items like petroleum-based oils, gas, and saw dust should never enter the system.
Medicines Do not flush them down any drain. All antibiotic medicines are harmful to treatment quality. Unused medications should be returned to the pharmacy, doctor, or thrown away in the trash.
Septic Tank Additives/Enzymes The wastewater in the system contains all the required bacteria for proper operation. Additives are unnecessary; and may do more harm than good.
Paper Products Use single- or double-ply, non-quilted, white toilet paper products. Some color dyes in the paper cannot be eaten by natural bacteria. Non-bleached paper (brown in color) takes longer to break down and can therefore increase your biosolids pump out frequency. Avoid flushing paper towels, napkins, wipes, or other thicker paper material.
