If you are about to purchase or just recently purchased a home that is not on public sewer, you may be wondering just what is different about septic systems. While the end game of getting waste out of the house is the same, there is a great deal different about maintaining septic systems. Take the time to learn these differences, so you can enjoy problem-free waste removal and prolong the life of your system.
First of all, you should understand that there is quite a bit going on underground right on your property. With a sewer system, you just have a large pipe that flows out to the main line, usually under your street, and all your waste just magically disappears. With a sewer system, you generally have no repair issues other than the pipe line from your house to the street – from there it is your public utility’s problem.
With septic systems, the entire system is your responsibility. You must maintain it and repair it should something go wrong. This includes the pipelines from inside the house to your system, and then all the components of the system. Septic systems generally include a septic tank and a drain field. Putting it simply, the tank stores the solids where they break down (thanks to some helpful bacteria) and then the liquids flow through the drain field to clear it of anything that shouldn’t go into the water table.
It is an interesting process that the waste products go through in septic systems, and the system can only do its job if the wrong things are kept out of the equation. For example, septic systems need the right bacteria to do their job, so flushing any cleaning products that are anti-bacterial is a real mistake that can lead to having your septic tank pumped way more often than would have been normally necessary. It is also important not to put excess grease, oils and other harsh contaminants into your septic system. Your septic system and drain field can only handle a certain amount of these substances, after which it will become clogged and may even need to be replaced.
One of the best things you can do to understand septic systems is to call a company that will be happy to educate you on what you can and cannot flush into your septic system. At Averett Septic Tank Co Inc. in Lakeland, FL, we are happy to do that, as well as inspect septic systems either before you close on your home or afterwards to let you know what condition it is in. Give us a call today!