septic tank pumping Sonoma, CA

Don’t Overburden Septic Tanks

Whether your house is large or small, if you have a septic system, the tank on that system is limited. No tank has unlimited space, right? You will have to get septic tank pumping in Sonoma, CA done on occasion to clear the tank out and keep things operating smoothly, but that should only have to be done every few years. In order to avoid further maintenance and repair issues, you don’t want to overburden the septic tank itself. Here are a few ways you can do that.

Using Too Much Water At Once

Whenever you run the dishwasher, take a shower, or flush, that water goes into the septic tank. If you do a lot of things that use water at the same time, the tank will have trouble processing it all. It’s best to spread out the big-ticket water items. Instead of showering while the dishwasher and washing machine are running, shower in the morning and run the washing machine at night. Space out your water usage so you don’t overwhelm the tank.

Keeping Heavy Items On The Tank

You don’t want to place vehicles, gardening tools, outdoor furniture, or other heavy things on top of the septic tank. Know where it is in your yard and then keep the heavy things away from it. That can overwhelm the tank as well and the grass in the area is probably often wet anyway so keep things away from that area.

Planting Foliage That Isn’t Septic Safe

You can plant things around the septic tank, but if they aren’t septic safe items, they can do more harm than good. Planting a tree, for example, that is known for shooting roots out all over could harm the septic tank or even move it. You will want to plan water-wise, septic safe plants that don’t interfere with what the tank is trying to do. If you want to do some planting around the tank, talk to your local landscapers or septic professionals to get ideas for what works best.

Flushing/Draining Things You Shouldn’t

It’s always wise to be careful about what you put down the drain, but when you have a septic tank, that’s even more the case. You want to make sure you don’t flush anything but toilet paper and waste, for example. And there are certain things you don’t want to wash away down the drain, like cooking oils and fats or anything anti-bacterial. Avoiding some of those things you shouldn’t do will keep the system from being overwhelmed.

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There are other things you need to know about over burdening your septic tank so you don’t have to get septic tank pumping in Sonoma, CA as often and if you want the full list of dos and don’ts, the professionals at American Sanitation Inc can help you. Give us a call with any questions you have, whether you have had a septic tank before, or you are new to these kinds of systems. We’re here to give you advice, tips, and maintenance help.