Protect Your Septic System by Conserving Water Part 1
Conserving water in your home is one of the best things you can do for your septic system.
Using too much water in your home can quickly overload your septic system. The excess water will dilute the good bacteria in your system, making it more difficult to break down the solids inside. Overloaded septic systems can also back up into your home, leading to water damage. That is why a big part of septic tank care is minimizing the amount of water you use in your home. Here are a few water conservation tips to help you do just that:
#1. Install low-flow plumbing fixtures.
Every time you flush the toilet, turn on the tap or take a shower, you are using water. What if there was a way to save water without changing the way that you use it? With low-flow plumbing fixtures, you can do just that. These fixtures use a lot less water than their traditional counterparts, but they work just as well!
#2. Don’t wait to fix leaks.
You lose money with every drop of water that drips out of a leaking faucet, toilet or pipe, and it can add up quickly. Not only is fixing leaks important for protecting your pocketbook and your septic system, it also helps to prevent your pipes from freezing come winter.
#3. Stop prewashing your dishes.
Many people wash their dishes before they put them in the dishwasher. This uses a lot of extra water and doesn’t accomplish much of anything except wasted time. If your dishwasher is old and doesn’t clean the dishes properly, it might be time to purchase a new one.
Stay tuned for our next blog for more water conservation tips.
Preparing Your Septic System for Fall Part 3
With winter well on its way, fall is the perfect time of the year to prepare your septic system for the cold weather ahead.
Winter, as well as the cold weather it brings, can be hard on your septic system. Although the fall is the perfect time of the year to carve pumpkins and sip on chai tea lattes, it’s also the perfect time of the year to maintain your septic system. Luckily, with the experts that created the Septic Genie on your side, it’s easy to keep your septic system running strong. If you haven’t already, check out our last blog to learn about the maintenance tips we’ve already covered. Here are the last couple of things you should do to maintain your septic system this fall:
#5. Repair any drips and leaks.
Before the temperature really takes a dive, it’s always a good idea to thoroughly inspect your home for any signs of dripping or leaking plumbing fixtures. While dripping water may not seem like a big deal, minuscule trickles of water can flow into your pipes and freeze very easily. This issue can quickly turn into a pipe that is completely frozen-over and requires professional attention.
#6. Get your septic system inspected.
Do you want to avoid any nasty surprises over the winter? If so, your best bet is to get your septic system inspected by a professional. This will alert you to any small repairs that need to be made before winter comes. It’s smart to get your septic system inspected every year, but if you smell or see sewage, it is important to schedule an inspection as soon as you can.
Do you have questions or concerns about maintaining your septic system this fall? Contact us today!
Preparing Your Septic System for Fall Part 2
Fall is here, and winter will be here before you know it. Is your septic system ready for the winter?
No one is a huge fan of the cold, and your septic system is no exception. Your septic system faces many unique challenges over the winter, and if you want to make sure that you can rely on it all winter long, you need to prepare it for the cold weather ahead. In our last septic tank care blog, we went over a couple of tips to help you prepare your septic system for the winter. Here are a couple more things you should do:
#3. Move heavy equipment away from your septic system.
Any vehicles, riding lawnmowers or other heavy equipment should be parked well away from your septic system. Parking heavy equipment and vehicles near the drainfield area, pipes or tank could compact the soil near the system or cause damage to the pipes.
#4. Get your septic system insulated.
The bacteria that is responsible for breaking down solids in your septic system depends on a stable environment. If it gets cold enough, the bacteria could drastically slow down and, in some cases, it could even die, causing the solids in your septic system to build up. Your main line or septic tank could also freeze. Proper insulation can help to prevent freezing and protect the good bacteria inside your septic system. To insulate, simply allow an extra six inches of grass to grow over the top of your entire septic system, including the drain field and connecting pipes.
We have just a couple more fall maintenance tips to go over with you, so please stay tuned for our next blog to learn more.
Preparing Your Septic System for Fall Part 1
Fall is officially here, and it’s the perfect time of the year to perform a little maintenance on your septic system.
Believe it or not, summer has finally come to an end, which means that we will be experiencing colder weather before we know it. The cold weather is not only unpleasant, it can also be hard on your septic system. The last thing that you want is for your septic system to run into trouble, and there are many things you can do to prepare it for the colder weather ahead. Here are a few fall maintenance tips from the makers of the Septic Genie for your septic system:
#1. Get your tank pumped.
As far as septic system maintenance goes, there’s nothing more important than getting your tank pumped. In fact, the leading cause of septic tank failure is actually failing to pump. Luckily, this maintenance task doesn’t need to be completed all that often; you only need to pump your tank every two to three years, depending on its size, how many people are using it, etc. Fall is a great time of the year to get your tank pumped.
#2. Clear away leaves and other debris.
Falling leaves and the other remnants of fall, such as twigs, branches, etc., should be cleared away from your septic system. Try to keep the areas around the leach field and septic cover clear. This is a good idea so that your septic system can easily be accessed in case of an emergency.
These are just a couple of the many things you should do to prepare your septic system for the winter. Stay tuned for our next blog to learn more.