1. I have my septic system inspected every year. This is cheap insurance against a major problem
requiring major surgery, meaning major money. Also, I never open up the tank cover and neither
should you. (unless you are an expert) There's bad stuff down there. I let the pros do their thing.
2. Faucet drips and toilets that keep on running are fixed ASAP. Too much water is not a
positive for septic systems.
3. I have diverted my downspouts so they drain away from the septic field.
4. Septic systems are not compost piles. I do not dump my coffee grounds, leftovers or food down
the drain.
5. Septic systems are not meant to dispose of tampons, litter, the kitty or people kind, or trash.
6. Without getting too preachy, bring your car's used oil to a disposal station, rather than
putting it down the drain. The same goes for cooking oil, toxic chemicals, paint, and poison. Duh!
7. If you have a garbage disposal, make sure it is working properly, not just gumming the
food waste.
8. I never take out the sink strainer, except to clean it. This helps keep large bits of food out
of the septic system.
I am also very conscientious about telling my visitors and guests about the basics of what they
cannot try to flush away. After a visit by a particularly dense,
(apparently he had never used facilities hooked up to a septic system), relative, I went to my local boating
supply store and picked up a bunch of small signs that boaters put next to their marine heads to keep sanitary napkins
and such out of the holding tanks. (RV stores should have them also.)
The signs say: "Please Do Not Put Anything Into The Toilet That You Have Not Eaten First." Yes, there are folks who ask me,
usually a bit sheepishly, if was okay that they used the toilet paper.
see also: How to Unclog a Drain
Please email me at deb@fsbocomplete.com
with your thoughts, comments, questions, or just to say "Hi".
Deb
