THE DO’S AND DON’TS OF MAINTAINING YOUR SYSTEM

IMPORTANT ITEMS YOU SHOULD NEVER FLUSH OR PUT DOWN DRAINS:

1. All Non-biodegradable items such as: dental floss, cigarette butts, feminine hygiene products, condoms, disposable diapers, cotton swabs, coffee grounds, cat litter, paper towels, dental floss, wet-wipe towelettes and other non-decomposable materials. These types of items cannot be digested by the enzymes and bacteria and will eventually fill and clog the system.
2. Any Caustic Household or Commercial Chemicals and Cleaners including: motor or other oils, gasoline, petroleum based products, pesticides, paint, solvent, antifreeze, and certain caustic household chemicals, high concentrations of bleach or lye, and excessive amounts of anti-bacterial products.  These chemicals will disrupt or kill the microbial process which converts the scum and solids to liquid waste, leading to system failure.

DON’TS:

1. Don’t dump excessive amounts of cooking oils & grease down your drains, it can build up and clog both the home’s plumbing as well as the septic system.
2. Don’t use the garbage disposal to get rid of food. Garbage disposals will burden septic system by adding additional solids.  Instead, use a composting system, or throw the food waste into the trash.
3. Don’t drive or park over any part of your septic system (including the drain field).  This can compact the soil in the drain field and crush the drain pipes, causing the system to clog and fail.

DO:

1. Monitor the levels of sludge and scum in the septic tank, and periodically pump out your septic system if it is needed.
2. Use Septic-1 weekly to help maintain healthy levels of the key microbes needed by your septic system.
3. Do help eliminate waste going into your system by composting whenever possible
4. Plant a lawn or grass over the absorption field and keep all other plants and tress away from it.  A grass lawn can help prevent erosion and helps expedite the evaporation process of waste liquid, but tree roots can clog and damage the drain lines.
5. Conserve water whenever possible and quickly fix any leaking fixtures in the home. Using more water than is necessary can upset the biological process in the septic the tank, and cause it to stall, fail and back up into the home.
6. Avoid over-watering the grass above your system and prevent any standing water in those areas.  Soggy soil will not absorb the waste water and can cause system backups.

Questions? Call the Toll-Free Helpline 1-800-613-4242