Holiday Septic System Use: How to Prevent Problems
There’s no good time for dealing with problems from your septic system, but the Christmas holidays might be the worst. When we say septic “problems,” we’re talking about drain backups, horrible odors, and soggy ground outside the home. No one wants to deal with this at any time of year.
Lakeland Septic Company of Lakeland, FL, would like to share some tips on how to use your septic system this holiday season to avoid problems.
Start With an Inspection
If it’s been more than a year since your last septic system inspection, contact your septic service provider to arrange one. An inspection will look at all areas, components, and functionality of your septic system:
- Septic tank
- Piping system
- Filters and baffles
- Drain field
- Lift station pump (if you have one)
Your inspector will talk with you about how things have been going and follow up on your reports of slow-flushing toilets, stopped-up drains, and weird odors.
A qualified septic inspector can also make the necessary repairs to get your system running like it should as we move into the thick of the holidays.
Using Your Septic System During the Busy Season
The size of your septic tank is finite, but the number of people going in and out of your home during the Christmas season may seem infinite. That means a lot more use of sinks, showers, bathtubs, and toilets, which means a lot more drainage that your tank has to accommodate.
If you schedule septic tank pumping before the season gets rolling, you shouldn’t have to worry about the emergencies that are sure to happen if your tank becomes too full. Examples:
- All the sinks in your home are draining slowly or backing up with raw sewage
- Toilets are overflowing or flushing weakly
- Powerful sewage odors in your living spaces and outside near the septic system
- Soggy patches of grass and ground above the septic system and drain field
A freshly inspected system and clean tank should keep these problems from happening.
How to Use Your Septic System During the Holidays
If, for some reason, you’re not able to schedule a septic tank cleaning before things get busy, here are some ways to reduce the volume of drainage you send to the tank.
Water Usage
Spread out your showers and baths throughout the day and evening, especially if you have many guests staying in the home. This will give the septic system time to process the drainage before more drainage comes in.
What You Put into Your Drains
Your family should know this already, but your guests may not. Remind them to avoid dumping any grease or oil into your sinks, which could lead to a clog and all kinds of related problems.
Also, encourage guests to avoid placing anything other than standard toilet paper into the toilets. This means no:
- Paper towels
- Feminine hygiene products
- Clumps of hair
- Rubber bands/hair ties
- Cigarette butts
- Dental floss
- Coffee grounds
These and similar substances are difficult for the bacteria in your septic tank to process, which could lead to a clog and a backup.
Have a Safe and Efficient Holiday with your Septic System
To recap: Have your system inspected, and have the tank pumped out. Monitor your water usage, and don’t put things in the system that shouldn’t be in it.
Lakeland Septic is ready to help with all your septic system needs this holiday season in the Lakeland, FL, area. Give us a call or reach out through our contact form.
