Maintaining your Septic System
If you are like most homeowners, you never give much thought to what happens when waste goes down in to your drain. But if you rely on septic system to treat and dispose of your household waste water, what you do not know can hurt you and your family and budget.
When a septic system fails, inadequately treated domestic waste can reach the ground water. Bacteria and viruses from human waste can cause dysentery, hepatitis and many another harmful diseases.
Failing septic systems are also expensive to repair or replace and improper maintenance by home owners is a common cause of early system failure. The minimal amount of preventative maintenance that septic system require, cost very little in comparison to the cost of a new system. It typically cost from $4,000 to 15,000 to replace a failing septic system, compared to $150 to $500 average per year cost to have a septic system pumped and inspected.
The most important thing to know is that your Septic System is not meant to be used as Trash Can, so DO NOT FLUSH any of the following items down your toilet:
- baby wipes
- dental floss
- feminine hygiene products
- condoms
- diapers
- cotton swabs
- cigarette butts
- matches
- coffee grounds
- cat litter
- paper towels
- napkins
- medications
- paints, pesticides, or other hazardous chemicals into your system
