Your septic system cleans your home’s wastewater and prevents contaminants from entering the groundwater. Abusing or mistreating your septic system can lead to irreparable pollution of the water that feeds and nourishes you and the plants and animals around you. Avoid these four common septic system mistakes to keep your water clean and safe.
1. Using a garbage disposal unit Sending kitchen scraps down the sink with the help of a garbage disposal unit is certainly convenient, but it’s also harmful to your septic system. Using a garbage disposal unit can double the amount of solid waste that flows into your tank. Moreover, the bacteria in your tank that naturally decomposes sewage can’t break down food waste, grease and bits of bone and meat. It means you’ll have to clean your tank more often. Instead, compost your kitchen food waste as much as possible. 2. Misusing your toilet Only two things should go down your toilet: human waste and toilet paper. Never flush paper towels, tampons, cigarette butts, diapers or hair down your toilet. Flushing these items can lead to clogs and costly repairs. Use septic-friendly toilet paper and even then, use it sparingly. Plus, don’t flush cat litter in a septic system, even if it says it’s flushable on the package. Septic systems can’t break it down. 3. Ignoring warning signs It’s important to keep an eye out for signs that your septic system is under stress or not working properly. Sinks and bathtubs that drain slowly, foul odours coming from your leach field or abnormally green grass over your leach field mean you should have your septic system checked by a professional. Even with no warning signs, it’s crucial to get your septic system professionally inspected at least once a year. You should also clean your tanks every three to five years, depending on how many people live in your home and the size of your tank. 4. Using too much water Whenever wastewater goes into your septic tank, more water is pushed out into your leach field. Practice water conservation to avoid overloading your system. Take shorter showers, flush the toilet less often, and only do one or two loads of laundry on any given day. Plumbing and septic service in southern Ontario The experienced plumbers at Black Forest Plumbing inspect and repair septic systems in the Greater Toronto Area. Our team is on call 24/7 for any type of problem or emergency. Contact us today to learn more or schedule a service call.