When it comes to your septic system there are a few things that you need to be aware of. First, you are on a much different type of sewer system than people that are in most cities or towns. Your septic system is a delicately balanced system that needs to be cared for. If you do not maintain your septic system, you could be up to your ankles in sewage--literally. Here are a few different tips to keep your septic system running at top performance.

Clogs

When dealing with a clogged pipe, you should be very careful in how you handle the clog. Most people are going to first reach for the liquid drain cleaner. If you had a regular city sewer line, this would be fine. However, if you are on a septic system, you need to be very careful with how you use drain cleaners. The chemicals in the drain cleaner make it extremely basic, with a pH above 7. The chemicals will kill the bacteria that are in your septic system that help break down the sewage. That means if the bacteria are dead, then the sewage is not going to get broken down like it should be, and you could have a backed up septic system in no time. Instead of using liquid drain cleaners, start with a pipe snake. 

Trash Can

One of the most important things that you can do to keep your septic system clean is to have a trash can by every single sink and drain. Everything that you put down the drain or the sink is going to end up in your septic tank. This includes your disposal, and the disposal should be used with caution. Things like grease and other foods can really do a lot to block up septic systems. other than food, things such as cigarettes, condoms, plastic wrappers are all found in septic systems. These types of materials can block up a septic system very quickly.

Septic Pumping 

With all the different things that can go wrong with septic systems, it is important that the system is cleaned out every so often. It is recommended that the system be pumped out at least every other year. This is going to allow for all the garbage and buildups to be removed. Most of the time when a septic system is pumped there is still a lot of bacteria left in the system to start the colony again.  

Contact local septic services for more information.