00601 Adjuntas, Puerto Rico

DO’S 00601 Adjuntas, Puerto Rico

Follow these tips on what to do and what to avoid doing when you have a septic system for waste management for your home or business. A good rule of thumb: If you haven’t, wouldn’t or couldn’t eat it – Don’t throw it into the septic tank! 00601 Adjuntas, Puerto Rico

00601 Adjuntas, Puerto Rico

Do spread laundry use over the week rather than many loads on one day. While it might be convenient to do so, dedicating an entire day to doing laundry will put a severe strain on your septic system. Consider connecting your laundry waste to a separate waste system (dry well or seepage pit). While not normally necessary, will reduce the load on the regular system and permit the survival of a marginal system. Space out your laundry loads and wash only full loads. The average load of laundry uses 47 gallons of water. One load per day rather than 7 loads on Saturday makes a big difference to your septic tank. Also, front loading washers use less water than top loaders. 00601 Adjuntas, Puerto Rico

00601 Adjuntas, Puerto Rico

Use liquid laundry detergent. Powdered laundry detergents use clay as a ‘carrier’. This clay can hasten the buildup of solids in the septic tank and potentially plug the disposal area. Minimize the amount of household cleaners (bleach, harsh cleansers) and similar toxic substances. Detergents, kitchen waste, laundry waste and household chemicals in normal amounts do not affect the proper operation of household sewage treatment systems. However, excessive quantities can be harmful. 00601 Adjuntas, Puerto Rico

00601 Adjuntas, Puerto Rico

Do make a permanent record of where the key parts of your septic system are located for future maintenance (i.e. septic pumping service or field repairs). Do have septic pumping service regularly. The contents of the septic tank should be pumped every two to three years or when the total depth of sludge and scum exceeds one-third of the liquid depth of the tank. If the tank is not cleaned periodically, the solids are carried into the absorption field, or leach field as it’s more commonly referred to. Rapid clogging occurs; premature failure follows and finally, the leach field must be replaced. Pumping your septic tank is less expensive than replacing your leach field. Insist that the pumper clean your septic tank through the manhole in the center of the top of your septic tank, rather than the inspection ports above the inlet and outlet baffles. 00601 Adjuntas, Puerto Rico

00601 Adjuntas, Puerto Rico

Do keep the records of septic pumping service and septic system maintenance. Do use water-conserving devices where possible. Low flush toilets and shower heads are commonly available. Install low usage water fixtures. Showerheads (2.5 gallons/minute), toilets (1.6 gallons), dishwashers (5.3 gallons, and washing machines (14 gallons). By installing fixtures such as these, the average family can reduce the amount of water entering the septic system by 20,000 gallons per year! Do check any pumps, siphons, or other moving parts of your system regularly. 00601 Adjuntas, Puerto Rico

00601 Adjuntas, Puerto Rico

Do remove or prevent trees with large root systems growing near the leach field. Don’t plant trees around your leach field. Roots from trees in the immediate area of the absorption lines may clog the system. Do check your interceptor drain regularly to ensure that it is free flowing. Run water regularly in seldom used drains such as sinks, tubs, showers, etc. to avoid noxious gases from building up and causing odors inside. 00601 Adjuntas, Puerto Rico

00601 Adjuntas, Puerto Rico

All roof, cellar and footing drainage, and surface water must be excluded from the system. Drainage water can be discharged to the ground surface without treatment. Make sure it drains away from your sewage treatment system. Roof downspouts should not drain toward the leach field. Backwash from water softeners contains salt that can damage your leach field. You should discharge this waste to a separate system or to the ground surface, away from your well and valuable vegetation. Keep swimming pools (above or in-ground) away from the leach field. 00601 Adjuntas, Puerto Rico