Your Septic System And Big Events: How To Keep It Healthy
If you are expecting company soon or are planning a family gathering, one thing you may not have thought about is the health of your septic system. While you plan for meals and activities, you also need to make sure your septic system can handle an influx of heavy use. There are some things you can do to prepare for your event, including the following:
Avoid Pouring Fats Down the Drain
If your big event includes a lot of good food and cooking, one thing you need to remember is to avoid pouring any fat down the drains as you prepare food. This is one of the worst things you can do to your septic system. Not only can the fat collect on the sides of your home's pipes and clog, but the fat also disrupts the bacteria in your septic tank. The bacteria are necessary to break down the solids in the tank, which results in sludge and ultimately a backup system.
Make Sure Your Guest Use Flushing Etiquette
It goes without saying that most items should not be flushed down the toilet aside from toilet paper. However, not everyone may realize that, so it is a good idea to make a sign in your bathrooms that lists what not to flush.
Some items to include on your signs include paper towels, baby wipes, feminine hygiene products, diapers, and the like. Be sure to provide the proper receptacles for the disposal of these items so they do not end up in your septic system.
Pump Your Septic Tank Beforehand
If you have not had your septic tank pumped out before, or if it has been many years, you may want to have the tank pumped before you invite people into your home for an event. Even if you are not yet due to have the tank pumped, it does not hurt to do so anyway just to be safe. If your tank fills up while you have guests over, you are going to have a major mess to clean up both inside and outside of your house. Toilets and sinks can overflow, toilets won't flush, and you can even have a smelly mess on your lawn.
If you take these few steps to care for your septic system, you should not experience any major problems while you have guests in your home. Taking care of your septic system is crucial to its overall health and function.
Contact a local septic tank pumping service to prepare for your event.