Did you know you can contribute to sewage back up issues based on what you flush down your toilet or toss down the drain? As a tenant or homeowner, these could be COSTLY mistakes! Here are some care tips to help save you from headaches as well as financial burdens.
DO NOT PUT FATS / OILS DOWN THE DRAIN. They can collect inside plumbing pips and cause hair or other debris to accumulate and decrease water flow. Because fats and oils are lighter than water, they will rapidly increase the scum layer, requiring more frequent pumping.
KEEP FOOD WASTE OUT OF YOUR SYSTEM. Compost or toss kitchen waste into the garbage rather than using the garbage disposal. Fruit/veggie peels tend to remain suspended rather than becoming part of the sludge or sum layers, which can clog drain fields more easily.
NEVER FLUSH MATERIALS SUCH AS: Coffee grounds, egg shells, bones, disposable diapers or wipes (even when they say flushable), sanitary napkins, tampons/applicators, condoms, paper napkins, paper towels, cigarette butts, dental floss, bandages, pill capsules, and more!
WATCH FOR WARNING SIGNS!
- Water draining too slowly in a shower.
- Drain pipes gurgle or make noise when air bubbles are forced back through the system.
- Smelling sewage signals a potentially serious problem.
- If water backs up in your sink or basement.
- Watch for increasing levels of water standing in the drain field vent or observation pipe.
- Check for soggy soil above the drain field.
- Settling of the soil over the septic tank indicates a break in the tank.
***Portions of Information provided by UW Extension as a handout/pamphlet for Care and Maintenance of Residential Septic Systems, shared by Washington Landlord Association.
