Co-Owner · December 8, 2023
The holidays are coming, and the house is about to fill up. Family dinners, parties, and guests staying over. One thing that usually gets forgotten is the septic system. A house full of people is a real test for it, so here's how to get it ready.
What the holidays do to your septic
Over the holidays, the house gets busy. More people means more showers, more laundry, more cooking, more dishes, and a lot more trips to the bathroom. You might not notice it with everything going on, but your septic system does. An overloaded system can back up at the worst possible time, so a little planning ahead keeps the holidays from getting interrupted.
How to get your septic system ready
1. Get an inspection before the guests come
Schedule an inspection before the holidays. If there's a problem brewing, we can catch it and fix it before the house is full. It's an easy way to head off trouble.
2. Pump the tank
If your tank is due, get it pumped before the holidays. That clears out the solids so the tank has room to spare when the extra load hits.
3. Tell everyone the house rules
Let your family and guests know a few basics. Go easy on water, and don't flush anything but toilet paper. A quick heads-up can save you from a backup in the middle of dinner.
4. Go easy on water
Spread out the laundry and the dishes. Run the dishwasher only when it's full, and turn the water off while you brush your teeth. Little things add up.
5. Keep grease and scraps out of the drain
With all the holiday cooking, be careful with grease, scraps, and leftovers. Don't pour grease down the sink, and go easy on the garbage disposal. Scrape plates into the trash.
6. Bathroom basics
With a house full of family and guests, keep an eye on the bathroom. Use septic-safe toilet paper, and remind everyone not to flush wipes, sanitary products, or wads of toilet paper.
7. Check things over after the holidays
Once the company goes home, take a look around. Watch for slow drains, odors, gurgling, or wet spots in the yard.
Enjoy the holidays
Get the system ready before the holidays, go easy on it while everybody's there, and check it over when they leave. Then you can enjoy the company and not worry about the septic. Happy holidays!