Out of sight, out of mind, right? Sure, that motto is true for a lot of things, but it doesn’t apply to everything, and it especially doesn’t apply to your septic system.
If your home has an unsung hero, it’s the pipes, tank, and drainfield that are buried underground in your yard. Since you can’t look out the window and see your septic tank, lots of homeowners don’t fully understand the role that they play. That’s why we put together a list of some of the most interesting facts about your septic system and how you can help it keep functioning at its best.
Your Septic System Handles Thousands of Gallons of Water
If you were asked to name the hardest-working appliances and systems in your house, where would you start? Your HVAC system, washer-dryer, and your stove might top the list, but your septic system never gets to take a break. It doesn’t cycle off and get time to rest.
Every time you turn on the faucet, throw a load of clothes in the washer, or turn on your dishwasher, your septic system springs into action along with the appliances in your house. You might not think much of it when you wash your hands, but every year, thousands of gallons of water flow through your sewer pipe and into your septic tank.
Even When It’s Not Working, It’s Working
Your septic tank never gets a day off, including when you’re away on vacation and no one is in your house using your plumbing appliances. That’s because bacteria inside the tank are continuously breaking down waste, whether or not new water is flowing in. Solids sink, and liquids float before those liquids go into the drainfield around your tank.
Your Yard Is Part of the Treatment Process
Wait, did you read that right? Is your yard really a part of your septic system? While your soil is filtering the water, it acts like a natural water treatment system. This is why you should never park vehicles on your drainfield. When the soil gets too compacted, it can’t safely and effectively treat the water.
What You Flush Really Does Matter
No, it’s not just a piece of throwaway plumbing advice. What you flush really does matter. Your septic system isn’t built to handle every single thing that you may want to put down a drain. Items like wipes (even ones labeled “flushable”), paper towels, grease, and feminine hygiene products don’t break down the way toilet paper does, and they can accumulate in your tank. Over time, this buildup leaves less room for the system to do its job properly.
Deep below the surface of your lawn, your septic tank is hard at work, even while you’re reading this. So when you’re thinking about the hardest-working, most important systems in your home, don’t forget about that big concrete tank that’s buried under the lawn. When you need septic services in Eugene, OR, contact Loose Deuce Septic & Tank Services.
