Septic Do's and Don'ts
Septic Do’s and Don’ts in New York & New Jersey
Here are a few helpful tips for you to consider when using septic tanks or grease traps. Contact Zuidema Septic Service & Portable Toilets at 888-418-8304 today for any of your septic and cesspool maintenance or repair needs.
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Do
- Always use the designated amount of cleaning detergents for toilets and drains
- Replace old fixtures with “low flow” ones to help conserve water
- Replace or repair any broken fixtures that are dripping or leaking in any way
- Keep the run of the outdoor roof drains away from the septic tank areas
- Keep the septic tank cover free from blocking objects, this makes for easier septic inspections
- Frequently check to make sure there are no blocked air vents
- Always hire a licensed professional to handle any inspections or repairs
- Regularly have tank services done
- Frequently run water in rarely used drains (any sinks or showers, etc.) to avoid toxic chemicals from building up in the drains and causing terrible odors on your property
Don't
- Never overload a water system (consecutive loads of laundry or running multiple appliances at once)
- Don’t dump any solids into the sink
- Don’t pour any oils or fats down the drain
- Don’t use your sink or toilet as a disposal for your garbage
- Don’t put yeast down the sink or any other commercial products
- Don’t plant any trees around the head of the septic tank as the branches can ruin the pipes
- Never cover the tank bed with hard substances like concrete or asphalt
- Do not flush anything but human waste or toilet paper down the toilet (the ideal toilet paper is 1 ply)
- Other products to not flush: coffee grounds, baby wipes, dental floss, cloth, tissues, medications, sanitary napkins, disposable diapers, etc.
- Never enter the septic tank or inspect it on your own-there are dangerous (and fatal) chemicals used during the treatment process
