How to Maintain Your Sewer System

Septic system, sewer system, mechanical plant, oxidation pond as they are all know as, are all types of individual sewer systems that homeowners use when community/city sewage is unavailable. Your septic system is usually one of the last things you think about when it comes to home maintenance. As long as the toilets flush, everything must be okay. Well, in this day and age of environmental awareness, everyone should ensure the proper operation of their septic system. In this article I will discuss some tips on how to maintain your sewer system.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

1. Limit the amount of grease and chemicals that you pour down the drains. Grease and chemicals will kill the bacteria that help to break down the sewage not to mention clogging drains. Chemicals are considered any type of cleaning or washing products. The normal amounts from everyday use are fine, but dumping massive quantities of grease or chemicals into a sewer system will lead to detrimental effects.

2. Ensure that the blower is running in mechanical systems, and that ants aren't invading the blower. Ants are probably the number one reason blowers burn up. Sprinkle some ant poison around the blower periodically and this will take care of the ants. Have your system pumped periodically as well, depending on the usage. A good rule of thumb would probably be every five years. Most people never pump them unless a government agency requires them to or they are trying to sell their home. Pump outs reduce sludge build up which clog lines and produce a low quality effluent which pollutes our rivers, lakes and streams.

3. Pump out the tank periodically and ensure that sewage is not surfacing anywhere. If sewage is surfacing, that is a sure sign of a failing system. Septic tanks and field lines should never discharge into a ditch or anywhere except for under the ground. If your septic tank does have a pipe going to a ditch, you are a direct contributor of non-point source pollution at its greatest. Do your part and replace your septic system.

4. For septic tank and oxidation ponds, follow the same rules as above but you will also need to maintain your pond. Oxidation ponds treat by sunlight and wind/air interaction. Most people plant ligustrum and other vegetative barriers around their ponds to hide them but what they are actually doing is adversely effecting the treatment and limiting the efficiency of the system.

Tips & Warnings

• If roots are invading your system, call a sewer company and they usually recommend copper sulfide. Pour it down the drain and it will kill the roots. Always used licensed sewer installers and haulers to work or pump out sewer systems.

• Enzymes advertised to inoculate and better treat your sewer system are usually a waste of money. As long as you use the bathroom, you are providing more than enough inoculation.