Doing laundry may be a regular chore for every household, but little does one know doing laundry can have a significant effect on your septic system. Mainly, nobody pays much heed that washing clothes may affect their septic tank. Yet, it is to be made aware of how such precautions may allow you to avoid pretty costly repairs and maintain a healthy septic system.
At Rooter Man Plumbing, we offer everything from septic tank installation to septic tank repair, to regular septic maintenance. As one of the more trusted names in septic services, we want to further educate homeowners on how to take better care of their septic systems, starting with a basic laundry routine.
Ways Laundry Can Affect a Septic Tank
1. Water Overload
The washing machines are real water guzzlers, and doing two or more loads in rapid succession overloads the septic system. The septic tank takes time to separate solids from liquids to process the wastewater. The sudden influx of too much water in the tank can cause it to flush the solids into the drain field, which may lead to backups or even total system failure. This is where you give your system time to take care of that extra water spreading out your laundry.
2. Harsh Chemicals in Detergents
Most detergents contain phosphates, bleach, and other harsh chemicals. These chemicals help clean your clothes, but they tend to eliminate the natural balance of bacteria inside your septic tank. Beneficial bacteria play the most crucial role in breaking down waste, and chemicals laden with detergents may kill all of them, which may deter your septic system from operating effectively. The after-effects may be clogs, slow draining, or expensive repairs.
3. Undissolved Soap
Powdered laundry detergents do not always dissolve in water, icy water. Undissolved soap deposited into your septic system will eventually build up a thick sludge in the pipes that clog it and adversely affect the tank’s ability to separate and treat waste. Liquid detergents can be used to minimize the problem because they are better at dissolving and dissolving completely.
4. Lint and Hair Accumulation
During the wash cycle, these fibres and hairs are freed from the clothing and collect in your septic tank over time and may even cause blockages of the system, which is very expensive to repair. If you have pets or family members with long hair, you are at an increased risk for issues with lint and hair building up in your system.
5. Grease and Oil
Washing greasy clothes or rags in your machine can lead to oil and grease entering your septic tank. These types of substances coat the interior of the septic tank, allowing bacteria to have less capacity for performing the functions of breaking down solid waste materials. More serious situations arise when this sludge closes off the drain field and causes larger septic system problems to arise.
Ways to Protect Your Septic Tank While Doing Laundry
1. Spread Out Your Loads
Rather than operating your laundry all day spread the loads out during the week. This eliminates water overload and gives the septic tank time to process wastewater more efficiently.
2. Use Eco-Friendly Detergents
Use low-phosphate and low-harsh chemical detergents for laundry. Most environmentally friendly detergents have a lesser kill to your septic, thus preserving the good bacteria and aid in the longevity of the healthy system. Check labels for the use of septic-safe or biodegradable products.
3. Use Liquid Detergent
Liquid detergents are easier on your septic system than powdered kinds. Since they dissolve quickly and completely, they will be less likely to leave behind undissolved particles building up in your tank.
4. Pre-Treat Stains
Pre-treatment minimizes extra detergent required for heavily stained clothes. Minimized detergent means minimized stress on your septic system. You can use some natural stain removers or soak clothes before washing to minimize the need for heavy chemicals.
5. Regular Cleaning of Drain Trap
Many newer washing machines have a lint trap that catches fibres and hair before they enter your septic system. Clean this trap out regularly to help avoid clogs and blockages affecting your septic tank.
Regular Septic Tank Pumping
If you have a septic system, routine maintenance is essential. Septic tank pumping removes the built-up solids that can cause overloading of the system and back up into your home or establishment. While this is so, most professionals recommend that you should have your septic tank pumped every 3 to 5 years, although this is dependent on household size and water consumption.
Need Professional Septic Services? Contact Rooter Man Plumbing
Is your septic tank overdue for maintenance? Do you need installation or repair assistance with your system? Rooter-Man Plumbing has got your back. With over 40 years of experience in the field, our team of expert technicians provides comprehensive septic services, including septic tank installation, cleaning, maintenance, and repair. From routine pumping to emergency assistance, you can depend on Rooter Man Plumbing for fast and reliable service.
Call Rooter Man Plumbing today to schedule your septic tank service or to learn more about how we can help protect your septic system.