San Diego Home Inspections — How do septic systems work? (part three)

How do septic systems work?
(part three)

Part one  ☺☻☻☺ Part two

Before we move on to a discussion about the drain field, also called a leach field and, in some parts of the world (probably Canada where they like to mispell words ☺☻☻☺), a leech field, let's look at how to keep your septic tank operating at maximum efficiency.

Your septic tank works because anaerobic bacteria break down the organic wastes. This is one of the few places where you want your bacteria, and you want them working hard.

Many decades ago there were hard and fast rules to abide by if you had a septic tank:

1. Don't pour cooking oil and grease down the drains.
2. Don't flush non-biodegradeable products (sanitary napkins, etc.) down the toilet.
3. Don't use a garbage disposal to grind up things like chicken bones and egg shells.
4. Don't dispose of chemicals into the septic tank. This includes pesticides, herbicides, antibiotics, unused drugs, bleach, caustic soda (also called lye), paints, and cleaning products (Lysol, Windex, etc.). Basically, if you can't stand the smell of something, the septic tank won't like it either.
5. Excessive water entering the system. This means that if you have to run five gallons of water at the shower before the hot water arrives, use a five-gallon pail to collect the water and then water your outdoor plants with it. Your plants and your septic system will be much happier.

Those are still good general rules, but septic tank technology has come a long way, and in part four we'll discuss other things you can do to help the septic tank do its job well.

Try RusselRayPhotos.com for inexpensive, royalty-free photos.

Twenty recent posts

1. ActiveRain — Two bugs to explain vanishing ActiveRain points
2. Business & Marketing — Would you turn down money to help someone?
3. Business & Marketing — Copyrights: Don't be too quick to rush to judgment!
4. San Diego home inspections — How do septic systems work? (part two)
5. Nature Handbook — The flower of sexual purity
6. San Diego home inspections — How do septic systems work? (part one)
7. Picture of the Moment #9 — Am I in San Diego or he!!?
8. San Diego home inspections — The lateral sewer lines are YOUR responsibility, not the city's
9. Picture of the Moment #8 — Fourth of July? New Year's Eve? Nope. It's Sky Show!
10. San Diego home inspections — Can your fire extinguisher do the job?
11. San Diego home inspections — Anti-tip bracket: Just because it doesn't cost much doesn't mean it should be ignored
12. Nature Handbook — Please welcome Pepe the Toucan to ActiveRain
13. ActiveRain — Please welcome my 147th Invitee to our ActiveRain community
14. Fall Season of Change — As the body gets older, it needs a little help....
15. A piece missing — Even criminals fail to plan!
16. ActiveRain — Please welcome my 152nd Invitee to our ActiveRain community
17. Flower Fiesta #28 - Why can't I grow water lilies like these?
18. San Diego home inspections — When you schedule inspections for 6:00 a.m., it helps....
19. ActiveRain — Please welcome my 153rd Invitee to our ActiveRain community
20. Picture of the Moment #7 — The three stooges

My Favorite ActiveRain Groups

ActiveRan Travel Station
ActiveRain Convention Station
ActiveRain Guerrilla Marketing Station
ActiveRain Library Station
ActiveRain History Station
ActiveRain Nature Station
ActiveRain Symphony Station