If you take care of your septic tank, it shouldn't give you any problems. Follow these steps to keep the septic tank in good condition.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Mastering Tank Operation
Step 1. Know your septic tank
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In a septic tank, solid waste settles to the bottom and the foam rises to the top. The excess liquid flows to the final destination. The solids are broken down by the bacteria in the tank, however they need to be purged periodically.
Method 2 of 4: Conserve Water
Step 1. Store the water
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The septic tank can only treat a little water at a time. The tank must separate the solids from the liquids and send the liquids to the final delivery.
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Check for leaky toilet bowls or faucets.
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Consider installing a low-flow or high-efficiency toilet.
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Make sure you choose the right load when doing laundry. Washing a small load having adjusted the washing for a large load wastes water.
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Distribute the laundry washes. Instead of doing your laundry all in one day, distribute it to give your septic tank time to recover.
Method 3 of 4: Safeguard the Tank
Step 1. Keep heavy objects away from the septic tank
Do not put anything heavy on the tank, such as a shed, a parked car, or a camper, concrete, asphalt, or an above ground swimming pool. This can damage the tank and pipes and, thus, compromise the efficiency of final delivery
Step 2. Do not throw or pour anything non-biodegradable or chemicals down into the tank
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Dental floss
- Feminine hygiene products
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Diapers
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Cigarette butts
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Cat litter
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Handkerchiefs
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cotton swab
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Coffee grounds
- Kitchen paper
- Condoms
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Household chemicals
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Gas
- Fats (no lard, oils, etc.)
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Painting
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Bleach.
Step 3. Avoid using the garbage disposal
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If you have a septic tank, don't install a garbage disposal.
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If you own a garbage disposal, use it sparingly. A garbage disposal can clog the final delivery and lead to more wastewater.
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If you have a garbage disposal, you will need to purge your septic tank more regularly, ideally every year.
Step 4. Once every few months put a quart of spoiled buttermilk in the toilet and flush the toilet
It is a great source of bacteria!
Step 5. Use septic tank products
- Use eco-friendly soaps as much as possible. For example, with regard to dish soap and hand soap.
- Use toilet paper and wet wipes designed for septic tanks.
- Put the "RID" treatment in the septic tank (by flushing the toilet) every few months if possible.
Step 6. Maintain good maintenance around the tank
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Cut all large trees and shrubs near the reservoir and drain (final delivery). Keep it root-free; tree roots can damage the pipes and the tank. Pay special attention to trees with aggressive roots such as willows.
- If your final delivery is outside the roofline and is exposed to falling rain, make sure you have gutters installed so you don't overload it.
Method 4 of 4: Clean the Tank
Step 1. Drain the tank
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The cost to have the septic tank drained is usually around 150-200 euros. Plus, if the insiders have to dig to find the tank, they'll charge you more.
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How often the tank will need to be drained depends on the size of the tank and the number of people in your household; this is usually done every 1-5 years.
- Using the garbage disposal will increase the frequency with which you have to drain the tank.
- If you have a 4000 liter tank and your family has four people and you don't use a garbage disposal, you should have your tank drained every 2-3 years. If there are only two people in your family you can wait 4-5 years.
- When you have the tank drained, they should also inspect it to make sure it is in good condition.
Step 2. After minimizing the amount of gray water (water for washing) that enters the system, filters all the water from the washing machine with a high-tech fluff-trapping filter
Every year a quantity of tiny non-biodegradable fibers enters the plant, sufficient to completely cover the floor of your living room with carpet.
Advice
- Install a shower and a low-flow sink faucet (it will also save you a lot of money on water).
- Install a pressurization unit on the toilet (it uses a liter of water, saves a ton of money and keeps the toilet clean).
- Install an ecological washing machine (look for one that weighs the laundry and uses a very minimal amount of water, wringes clothes to dry them partially and also saves the power of the dryer).
Warnings
- A warning: an excessive amount of purged material is a sign of a failure in the septic tank.
- Take care of your tank and final delivery. Having the tank drained costs several hundred euros, but replacing the final delivery can cost thousands.