Experts recommend having residential septic tanks pumped every three to five years to prevent issues. While septic tank pumping services are not overly pricey, if you’re watching your budget, you’ll want to make sure you’re not having your septic tank pumped more often than is really needed. Here are three ways to decrease the buildup of debris, grease, and other non-degradable grime in your septic tank, so you can more safely wait five, rather than three, years between pumping appointments.
Don’t use your garbage disposal.
Yes, it might be convenient, but your garbage disposal is your septic system’s worst nightmare. By sending endless food scraps into your septic tank, you are greatly increasing the amount of debris that builds up in it. Some sources even recommend pumping your tank every year if you use a garbage disposal — it makes that big of a difference.
Only flush toilet paper down your toilet.
A lot of toiletry items, such as wet wipes and tampons, say they are safe to flush. This might be the case if you don’t mind having your septic tank pumped often. If you’re trying to extend the time between pumping appointments, however, you’re best off flushing nothing but toilet paper. Toilet paper breaks down quickly and works its way into your septic leach field. All of those other “flushable” items just build up in the tank, reducing its volume until they’re pumped out.
Don’t rinse bleach or other harsh cleaners down your drain.
Bacteria in your septic tank are responsible for breaking down the waste so it can rinse out into the leach field in your yard. Chemicals like bleach and ammonia can reduce the populations of these bacteria, which makes it take longer for this waste to break down. Keep your bacteria healthy by using green, eco-friendly cleaning products like vinegar and baking soda. Your waste will build up more slowly in the tank, so you can safely wait longer between pumping sessions without worrying about overflows.
Remember that even when you follow the tips above, it’s important to have your tank pumped regularly. Never pumping your tank at all is a mistake that will likely lead to a flooded yard, a broken tank, or dangerous bacterial levels on your property. Keep in touch with Ace Sanitation so you can call us if there is ever a problem with your tank.