5 Bad Habits That Can Damage Your Septic System

Here at Septic Blue of Charlotte, we are a reputable septic company offering a comprehensive range of septic services, including septic tank pumping, septic tank repair, and septic tank installation. Today, we will look at the common habits that can damage your septic system.

Flushing Things Down The Toilet That Don’t Belong There

One of the most detrimental habits for a septic system is treating it like a trash can. Many of us are guilty of flushing a whole lot of non-flushable stuff down the toilet, including feminine hygiene products, baby wipes, cotton swabs, and many more. An easy rule of thumb is not to flush anything besides septic-safe toilet paper and human waste. Anything else, including cotton balls, diapers, paper towels, condoms, cigarette butts, cooking grease, and pharmaceuticals, can seriously damage your septic system.

Putting Too Much Weight on Your Septic System Components

Parking vehicles or heavy machinery over the septic tank area can cause undue pressure, leading to structural damage or fractures in the system. Over time, this can result in leaks and groundwater contamination. Ensure you know the location of your septic system and avoid placing heavy objects or vehicles above it.

Pouring Unsafe Household Chemicals Down The Drain

Your septic system relies on beneficial bacteria to facilitate the decomposition and treatment of sewage. Harsh household chemicals can throw your septic system off balance. For this reason, substances such as liquid drain cleaners, gasoline, vehicle additives, weed killers, paints, solvents, kerosene, and paint thinners should not go down the drain.

Excessive Water Consumption

One of the habits that can damage your septic system is overloads. An overload occurs when the volume of wastewater entering the tank exceeds its capacity to properly treat and process the incoming sewage. To avoid this problem, it’s important to monitor your home’s water usage and adopt water-saving practices. Here are some of the efficient water use practices that can help you improve the operation of a septic system and reduce the risk of malfunctions:

• Instead of doing all the laundry in one day, spread it out over the week.
• Consider using water-efficient appliances, such as low-flow toilets, high-efficiency washing machines, and energy-efficient dishwashers.
• Encourage shorter showers to reduce water consumption.
• Avoid leaving taps running when not in use.

If your household size is increasing or you’re planning to add new water-using appliances, you may have to enlarge your septic system. Consult with a professional septic company about your options if you’re considering enlarging your septic system.

Placing the Wrong Things In Your Garbage Disposal

Your garbage disposal might seem like an easy way to get rid of food scraps, but not everything can be processed effectively. Avoid putting fibrous foods, grease, oil, coffee grounds, and large food particles down the disposal. These items can clog the pipes, strain the septic system, and impede its proper functioning. Instead, compost food scraps or dispose of them in the regular trash.

Need Professional Septic Services? Reach Out To Septic Blue of Charlotte

Keep your septic system in good working order with professional services from Septic Blue of Charlotte. With years of industry experience, we are committed to providing reliable septic services, including septic tank installation, septic tank pumping, septic tank repair, and more.