Years ago, hearing about homeowners who took the time monthly to treat their septic system was fairly rare. Perhaps the occasional pump out of the septic tank and for the detailed homeowner, perhaps a treatment annually. A lot has changed over the past 25-30 years. Technologies have changed, human behaviors have changed, even the soaps, detergents and cleaners we use have changed. While most homeowners do not tend to connect the dots between our daily activities and the effects it has on our septic system. If you are not currently delivering monthly or quarterly septic maintenance to your system, you must read this article to find out how severe the risks may be.
To put it simply everything has changed. While we cannot take the time to highlight each and every societal change that has occurred over the past 30 years, we can at least point out a few common points that have changed how our septic systems can function.
Heavy water consumption. As Americans, we are flushing the toilet more times per day than ever in our history. We take longer showers, or install large or even multiple shower heads in our showers. We do laundry every single day. We simply over indulge in the amount of water we use. Now all of that water goes where? It goes straight into your septic tank. Flooding your septic tank can flush out a lot of the bacteria and enzymes present in your tank. These bacteria and enzymes MUST remain in your septic tank if you intend on having your solid waste digested and liquefied there.
Now stop and think about the types of cleansers we use. Think about the anti-bacterial sprays and hand soaps. Think about the bathroom cleaners with bleach. Think about all of the scented laundry detergents, soaps and body washes each of us has in our homes. Anti-bacterial cleaners, soaps and scented detergents, to state the obvious, kill bacteria and enzymes. If you are killing bacteria in your home and washing it down the drain, what do you think is happening in the septic tank below? Naturally, it is killing what bacteria you haven’t yet flooded out of your septic system.
While treating your septic system annually is better than not doing anything at all, having a strict monthly maintenance program will ensure your system works its best. No matter what type of cleaners you use and no matter how much water you use, making sure that you are delivering your system a monthly boost of bacteria will eliminate all of your concerns. Just make sure that you are using a granular formula and not a liquid one that will simply flush right out with your next load of laundry.
The best septic treatment companies will offer a granular treatment, in a flushable packet. You can purchase them in a variety of bulk options, or for the smartest of consumers, an automatic monthly shipment that will not only ensure your septic system gets the treatment it needs, but also will serve as a reminder to you.