Sewers

just purchased house, how do you care for septic sewer system?

Public Comments

1. Just get some brewers yeast and flush a couple of tablespoons down your stool once a month. Was the tank pumped before you moved in ?? If so you should have years of maintenance free living.
2. Preventive maintenance. Do not flush grease/oil, personal care products or high levels of caustic chemicals (including bleach) down your drains. I have always been against having a food disposer with a septic. The septic system works with bacteria that eats the solids in the tank. If you over flush solids or caustic chemicals, it can slow the process or kill the bacteria. If a drain cleaner is absolutely necessary, use an enzyme product such as Draincare by Zep. This works in the same way as the septic.
3. Larry O is right on, but I want to add that you need to change the type of detergents and house hold chemicals you use. Bleach, Draino, etc. will kill the microbes in the system. If that happens, the solids don't break down and the tank fills up. If it ain't biodegradable, don't put it down the sink or shower. Also don't use a garbage grinder or other disposal that puts garden waste down the drain. You can overpower the system with too much solid waste. Compost kitchen waste in the garden or throw it in the garbage can.
4. Here are four sites with information. The rules are a bit different if you have an aerobic system.
5. The best thing to do is have it emptied if it's not been done...this way you can check it's condition And exact location (measure and record access ports location)so if you have trouble in the future you can get fast easy access.The old farmers around here always put a couple of pcs of liver in the tank to start the process going...from then on common sence..__no tampax etc ___use biodegradable products for cleaning and as little bleach type products as they kill bacteria and the whole system runs on bacteria.It's really quite simple..some places have bylaws that require periodic clean out.
6. Rid-X once a month.
7. The best way is barrow a metal detector. The lid on the septic has a iron handle.