How to Solve Septic Problems
Because your septic tank is a receptacle for waste, it is important to diagnose and solve any problems you have with your system as quickly as possible to avoid embarrassing smells emanating from your back yard. Two common problems individuals notice with their septic systems are leakage and pipes that are clogged with waste material from an overloaded system. You can take steps at home to remedy simple septic problems and improve the health and efficiency of your septic system. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Bacterial drain cleaner
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Instructions
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Flush a moderate amount of bacterial drain cleaner down the toilet. The bacteria will attach to your pipes, eating away at any waste material that has built up over time and is causing clogs and backed-up water. Bacterial drain cleaner can be purchased at most home-improvement stores.
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Use water sparingly. Septic tanks have trouble managing large amounts of water at once, such as when you do laundry repeatedly or everyone in the house takes a shower within a short time frame. What you believe to be a faulty septic system may just be a septic tank that is temporarily overloaded with water.
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Have your septic tank pumped. Septic tanks need to be pumped at least every five years. If you have a smaller septic tank or a large family, you may wish to have the tank pumped more often. Emptying out your septic tank can immediately resolve leakage issues and backed-up pipes that are caused by waste products having nowhere else to go.
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Move additional water drainage systems. If your roof gutters or basement drains direct water onto the leech field around your septic tank, this can cause pipes to back up with waste water. Moving the additional water drainage systems to a safer area places less strain on your septic system and can solve drainage issues.
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Check your septic tank’s drain field for heavy overgrowth. Over time, the roots from trees and shrubs nearby can grow into your drain field, causing clogs. Remove any trees and shrubs that are too close to your septic system.
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Schedule an inspection with a professional if you still experience problems with your septic system. In some cases, the tank itself may be damaged and in need of repair.
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Tips & Warnings
Do not wash oil-based paint or strong cleaning chemicals down the drain. These materials can kill the beneficial bacteria that digest wastes within your septic tank, causing additional problems with your septic system.
Never park a car over your septic tank. This can compact the dirt above the tank and result in pipes, or even the tank itself, cracking under the weight of your vehicle.
References
Resources
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