Class A Trucking & Septic Pumping
Call us today: (902) 254-4109
Septic Tank 'Do' Tips
►Pump your septic tank every 3 to 5 years (the frequency depends on how well you take care of your system and how many people live in the home).
► Minimize water use by buying a low-flow showerhead, low-flow toilet, and low-volume washing machine and repair any leaky taps.
► Spread water use over time (for example, do only 1 or 2 loads of laundry per day, and try not to shower or run the dishwasher while doing laundry). Essentially, the slower you run sewage through your septic tank, the better the tank performs in settling and the cleaner the liquid going to the drainfield.
► Keep pumping records, system approval and design info, and the Certificate of Installation with your deed. Please pass these along to any future home buyer.
► Install lint traps for your washing machine. If there is no lint trap on your washer, you can purchase an add-on lint filter.
► Plant and maintain a healthy grass cover over the drainfield (an important part of septic design). Prevent roots from entering the drainfield.
► Divert roof drain and up-slope rain water from the drainfield.
► Compost kitchen waste instead of dumping it down the drain.
► Try to use only small amounts of household cleaners. There are septic system-friendly cleaners available.
► Install a filter at the outlet of your tank (effluent filter) for added protection for your drainfield. This will require yearly cleaning (simply spray off with garden hose).
Septic Tank 'Don't' Tips
► Don’t overload your septic system with water.
► Don’t wash more than two loads of laundry per day.
► Don’t allow water softener (or other water treatment device) backwash to enter the septic system.
► Don’t use your system beyond its intended design. Operating a homebased business such as a daycare in a home that has a sewage system not designed for that purpose can ruin a system.
► Don’t allow water from sump drains or roof drains to enter your septic system.
► Don’t divert laundry water or sink/wash water away from the septic system. This is referred to as “greywater,” which is sewage, and can cause harm to the environment and human health just like toilet water.
► Don’t enter a septic tank. Sewage gases are explosive, toxic, and can suffocate you.
► Don’t dump fats or oils down the drain.
► Don’t dump household hazardous chemicals such as paint, paint thinner, motor oil, grease, pesticides, pharmaceutical drugs, or other chemical waste.
► Don’t flush coffee grounds, disposable diapers, cigarette butts, dental floss, kitty litter, cotton swabs, feminine products or tampons, condoms, poisons, or paper towel. Quite simply, garbage goes in a garbage can, not the septic system.
► Don’t use septic system additives. The sewage that comes from your plumbing provides lots of bacteria and microorganisms, so adding more will not be helpful. Septic systems are designed to treat the sewage
without additives.
► Don’t drive vehicles on the field bed. You may need barriers (posts or large rocks) to prevent visitors from driving over your field bed or tank.
► Don’t use chemical drain openers. Instead, try using boiling water or a plumbing “snake” to clear clogged pipes.