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Most Covington, GA, septic tanks need to be emptied about every 3 years. Some can last even longer than that. However, there are certain tanks that just seem to fill up no matter what you do. These tanks might need to be emptied every year so they don’t overflow into your house. Keep reading to find out why this keeps happening to you. Oils and Grease Fats, oils, and grease are some of the worst offenders when it comes to clogging your septic system. These products stick to the sides of your pipes and tank, forming clogs and making it nearly impossible for the septic system to do its job. Most of these products enter your septic system when you rinse off greasy dishes--or worse, pour used cooking oil down the sink. Dispose of the grease in the trash and wipe off plates before washing them. Some oils and greases are also found in bath oils and tanning oils. Do your best to use these products sparingly and rinse as little as possible down your drains. Solid Waste Solid waste takes much longer to break down than liquids, so your tank fills up too quickly and overwhelms the system. Don’t dispose of solid waste such as cigarette butts, paper towels, or garbage in your sinks or toilets. If you use a garbage disposal in your kitchen, you’ll typically need to empty your tank about twice as often. Keep in mind that some foods are worse than others to put down your drains. Avoid using your garbage disposal for expandable foods such as pasta and rice. Also avoid stringy foods like banana peels, which can easily get caught in your drains. Any food you put into your garbage disposal should be in small crumbs, not large chunks. Chemical Cleaners The reason your septic tank is able to break down waste is because of the bacteria living inside it. If these bacteria are harmed, they can’t do their job and your tank will fill up quickly. Unfortunately, many of the cleaning products we use are antibacterial--for a good reason! However, the cleaning products don’t discriminate between useful and harmful bacteria, and when they get rinsed down the drains they can kill the good bacteria in your septic tank. Whenever possible, use natural cleaners such as baking soda and vinegar, or products such as oxygen bleach, which are safer for your tank. Collapsed Pipe Sometimes, blocked pipes are caused by external forces instead of what you put into your septic system. This causes the pipe to back up and flood your home with sewage. Collapsed pipes often occur outside, where shifting soil causes them to crack or buckle under the pressure. This often happens when the ground is wet or frozen, or when you put too much weight--such as a vehicle--on top of your pipes. Excess Water Although septic tanks were designed to treat water and release it back into the soil, they can’t do it instantaneously. If you put too much water in your septic tank, it will take longer to treat and your tank will be more likely to overflow. Find ways to use less water around the house, such as taking short showers instead of baths or turning off the sink when shaving or washing dishes. Try to spread out your laundry throughout the week instead of doing it all on the same day. Also be careful that you aren’t putting more water into your Covington, GA, septic tank than you have to. Make sure your home is set up so your gutters, sump pump, and other drains empty away from your house and not into your septic tank.
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