Septic Maintenance Made Simple: A Beginner’s Guide to a Healthy Tank

For many homeowners, septic maintenance seems confusing and overwhelming. Compared to city sewer systems, how well you maintain your septic system directly affects its performance and lifespan. Unfortunately, most homeowners think of septic maintenance as only getting professional septic cleaning services without knowing the basic beginner ways they can start for a healthy tank. In this article, we will break down the importance of regular maintenance and what can and can’t go down your drains. If you want to learn more, call Mr. Rooter Plumbing today.

The Importance of Regular Septic Maintenance

Regular septic maintenance is essential to keep your septic system working properly and avoid any costly problems in the future. Unlike the city sewer systems, the septic system requires natural bacteria to break down the waste and soil to filter the water. When maintenance like septic pumping is neglected, the waste can build up and flow into the drain field, leading to clogs, backups, costly repairs, and even system failures in the future. One of the best beginner’s guides to a healthy tank is knowing what can and can’t go down your drains as a homeowner. Let’s learn more about that in the following section.

What Can and Can’t Go Down Your Drains

Safe Practices:

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Water-Soluble Liquids: Natural and healthy liquids like water, broths, vinegar, and juices can easily dissolve and break down in the septic system.
Liquid Dish Soap: It is normal for liquid dish soap to enter your septic system and for homeowners to use it. However, if overused, it can harm the bacteria within the system, so homeowners have to be careful about that.
Use of Drain Strainer: Capture any debris or food scraps effectively with a drain strainer to reduce the risk of clogs.

What To Avoid:

Food Scraps: Food scraps should never go down your kitchen sink, even with a garbage disposal. Every food, fat, grease, or oil can clog the pipes or solidify inside, which leads to clogs.
Coffee Grounds: Most homeowners often face drain blockages because coffee grounds accumulate and don’t break down easily in the drains.
Paper Towels: Paper towels are absorbent; they aren’t meant to break down easily in water. When your paper towels go down your drain, they accumulate and swell in your septic system.
Starchy Foods: Starchy foods like rice and pasta expand when they are exposed to water. If they happen to enter the septic tank, they would just expand and sit there waiting for the bacteria to break them down, which would eventually overwhelm the system.

Warning Signs That Your Septic System Is Failing

Slow-Draining Fixtures: The biggest initial sign of a septic system problem is when draining fixtures start to slow down. When drains empty more slowly than usual, it indicates that the septic tank is reaching its capacity or the field is becoming clogged.
Unpleasant Odors: Foul odors around your home can be a sign of septic system distress. A septic system that functions effectively wouldn’t release any unpleasant smells. So, the smell of strong odors can be a sign of a major problem.
Pooling Water: Check your yard near your drain field. Do you see overly lush grass? If so, this can be a sign that your septic system is struggling. When drain fields are compromised due to excess water use, water might surface and lead to increased plant growth. Call a septic company in Jurupa Valley, CA today to learn more.

Quality Work by Mr. Rooter Plumbing

Are you looking for an experienced company to help with your septic maintenance? At Mr. Rooter Plumbing, our licensed plumbing experts are here to provide professional septic services at upfront prices. Call us today to learn more about us and our services.