How Household Habits Shorten Septic Tank Life

At Septic Blue of Tampa, we’ve spent years helping homeowners keep their septic systems in top shape through proactive maintenance strategies like regular septic cleaning. As a dependable septic service provider in Tampa, FL, we’ve seen firsthand how household habits can ruin septic tanks, resulting in costly repairs and replacements. Today, we’ll explain how household habits shorten your septic tank’s lifespan.

Flushing the Wrong Materials

Many of us are guilty of flushing inappropriate items down the toilet. We cannot stress this enough—your toilet and septic are not trash bins. It may work its magic when it comes to waste treatment, but it is only designed to handle human waste and septic-safe toilet paper. Flushing items like wipes, diapers, paper towels, and condoms can compromise the functionality of your septic tank. Apart from the tank filling with solids faster, these items can disrupt the beneficial bacteria inside the tank. This can lead to premature septic tank failure and costly issues.

Excessive Water Usage

The average septic tank can hold between 750 and 1500 gallons of wastewater. Using too much water at once overwhelms the tank and even the drain field. Long showers, frequent laundry loads, and running multiple water-heavy appliances simultaneously push excess water into the tank, causing blockages and soil saturation.

Skipping Regular Pumping

We get it—pumping out your septic tank is not one of those home maintenance tasks anyone looks forward to, but it’s an integral part of keeping the system in good working order. You should schedule septic pumping service every 3 to 5 years, depending on the size of the tank and household size. Not only does it prolong the lifespan of your septic tank, but it also saves you money in the long run. Get in touch with Septic Blue of Tampa when you need professional septic tank pumping.

Pouring Grease and Chemicals Down Drains

Cooking grease, oils, and harsh chemicals can disrupt septic system balance. Grease hardens inside pipes and tanks. Chemical cleaners, solvents, and paints kill beneficial bacteria needed to break down waste. Resist the urge to flush anything besides human waste and toilet paper. This way, you’ll get the most out of your septic system.