Regardless of whether you have a septic system or not, we should all be mindful of what we put down our drains. Grease, chicken bones, and other debris that should be thrown away instead of sent through the pipes can cause clogs, which results in homeowners using harmful chemicals that can damage the environment. Even if the clog is cleared naturally, it can still damage your plumbing system and leak mixtures into the ground that will affect vegetation.
If you have a septic system, however, you should be even more mindful of what you put down the drain. Septic services are essential to making sure your septic system operates at peak efficiency, but there are a few things you can avoid putting down the drain that will keep you from having major problems.
Excessive Water
it may seem silly to think that too much water can harm a septic system, but if too much is poured down the drain too quickly, it can overload the septic system and cause the drain field to clog up. At the very least, your tank won't be able to disperse the excess water into the area around the tank, which can lead to your tank needing to be pumped prematurely.
Solid Debris
Homeowners that have a sewer drain don't need to worry much about the solid waste that makes its way through their pipes and into the sewer, but those with a septic system certainly need to be aware of potential problems. Solid debris is harder to pump than bio-waste and causes clogs, excessive buildup, and even scum on the walls of the tank, making it fill up faster.
Chemical Waste
Though very few people are pouring hazardous waste down their drains, excessive use of household chemicals can eat away at the lining of your pipes and the inside of your septic tank. Since there can be a few years between septic pump services, those chemicals can stand in your tank for months, causing your septic tank to slowly rot away. Even if they do find their way out of your septic tank, they can damage the environment.
Non-Biodegradables
While toilet paper will eventually decompose, things like sanitary products, paper towels, flushable wipes, and especially diapers should never be flushed down the drain. These can cause clogs in your septic line and make it harder for septic pump services to clean it. Septic tanks are designed to drain slightly into the field around it, but solid waste that doesn't decompose makes that nearly impossible.
Learn more by contacting companies like Autry's Backhoe & Septic Service.