The Do's and Don'ts: Best Practices for Ensuring a Long-Lasting Septic System

Do's: Keeping It Smooth and Functional

Stay on Top with Routine Checks:

• Like health check-ups, your septic system needs regular inspections.
• Simple step: Get a professional to look at it every 3-5 years. They’ll spot problems you might miss.
  

Be Mindful of What Goes Down:

• Some things just aren't meant for your septic.
• Simple step: Stick to basics. Toilet paper? Yes. Grease, chemical cleaners, and plastic items? A big no.
  

Go Easy on the Water:

• Too much water at once can overwhelm the system.
• Simple step: Fix any drippy faucets, consider low-flow toilets, and maybe don’t do laundry every day.
  

Know Where Your Septic Is:

• Digging in the wrong spot can be a costly mistake.
• Simple step: Jot down where it is or sketch it out. And remember, no heavy stuff like cars over it!
  

Choose Natural Cleaners:

• Some cleaning chemicals mess up the balance in your tank.
• Simple step: Good old baking soda, vinegar, and even some mild soaps often do the trick without the harm.

Don'ts: Mistakes to Sidestep

Keep the Heavy Stuff Away:

• Your septic area isn’t a parking lot.
• Simple step: No parking cars or heavy equipment on it. The weight can wreck things below.

Watch Where You Plant:

• Trees are great, but their roots? Not so much around a septic system.
• Simple step: Plant trees away from the septic zone. If you're unsure, grass or small plants are safer bets.

Limit the Chemicals:

• Some chemicals can harm your septic's balance.
• Simple step: Go easy on heavy cleaners. And if you can, avoid chemical drain solutions.

Think Twice About Additives:

• There are products out there that promise to “boost” septic performance. They're not always what they're cracked up to be.
• Simple step: Trust the natural process. If you think something’s off, it’s better to chat with a pro.

Toss Trash the Right Way:

• Some stuff doesn’t break down and can clog the system.
• Simple step: Toss things like sanitary products and wipes in the trash, not the toilet.

Having a septic system isn’t rocket science, but it does ask for some attention now and then. Remember the basics: watch what you flush, keep heavy items and deep-rooting plants away, and get regular check-ups. A bit of care goes a long way, and with these simple do's and don’ts, your septic system will keep doing its job for a very long time.