Co-Owner · June 18, 2020
Out of sight, out of mind, right? Not quite the case with your septic system.
Your pipes, drains, and tank may be tucked out of sight, but they're part of a bigger system that keeps your household running. They need the same care you give your other appliances.
Without proper care and maintenance, your septic system becomes increasingly susceptible to damage. Septic damage often makes itself known by way of messy leaks and unpleasant overflow, but what causes the damage in the first place?
Here are five common causes of septic damage to be aware of:
Flushing stuff that doesn't break down
“What do non-biodegradable materials have in common with (most) canceled public figures?
They’re problematic.”
Non-biodegradable items such as sanitary wipes, paper towels, band-aids, cotton swabs, and kitty litter are all bad news for your septic system. These materials don’t easily break down and are likely to collect, which can cause troublesome clogs as well as messy backflow.
If what you're about to flush doesn't break down, or it's on our list of top five things to stop putting down your garbage disposal, find another way to get rid of it. Some food scraps that are bad for your disposal can go in the compost instead.
Exceeding Capacity
Many a good septic system has fallen victim to overuse, be it from general water inefficiency or a sudden increase in use (more house guests = more water usage).
Every septic system has a limit. Overload it and solids don't settle like they should, and the good bacteria can't keep up. That clogs the drain field and can lead to other trouble, like a tank that doesn't work right or a system that quits altogether.
For better water efficiency, try being mindful of your tank capacity, your daily water usage from laundry and dish cleaning, and go easy on those extra long showers.
Chemical Damage
With time, or in excess, household cleaners and other seemingly benign chemicals (ex: detergent, drain cleaners, nail polish remover, paint thinners, varnishes, etc.) can be harmful to your septic system.
These chemicals have varying effects including corrosion of drains, clogging of pipes, killing of necessary bacteria, and potentially damaging the ecosystem or water supply.
To avoid or stay ahead of chemical damage, dispose in minimal amounts and keep up with your recommended septic maintenance schedule.
Accidental External Damage
Gardening and landscaping are great ways to fix up your yard. Just make sure you (or whoever you hire) know where everything is. It's easy to hit a pipe or the tank if you don't know where the septic system is.
Natural Causes
Speaking of outside damage, nature can take its toll too. The usual culprits are plant and tree roots, and cold weather.
Plant and tree roots seek out water sources, and if planted too closely to your drain field they may invade your pipes or tank. We recommend not planting your flowers, shrubs, and trees too close to your drain field, or choosing plants that have shallow roots.
You can't do much about cold weather, but you can get ahead of it and avoid frozen pipes and drains. We're happy to take a look and make sure every part of your system is well insulated.
Raw sewage can be really hazardous to your health, so get leaks, overflow, or other septic trouble looked at right away.