Maintaining a Healthy Septic System

Septic tanks should be kept fully functional, otherwise, you are going to be facing some major repair or perhaps even replacement costs. The bacterium liquefies waste in the septic which keeps it operating smoothly. However, there are a number of things that can kill the bacteria in your septic, causing the waste to build up and eventually, you will have a clogged septic.

Disinfectant cleaning products, which kill bacteria, shouldn’t be flushed down the toilet. Tobacco also kills bacteria so never use your toilet as an ashtray. When the bacterium decreases, solid waste gets into the drain field causing a backup. Emptying cleaning water from pails or mop buckets not only force solid waste into the drain field, but mop and cleaning water usually contain cleaning chemicals that can destroy bacteria.

When a septic gets severely clogged, repairs can go through the roof as in many cases, the septic has to be dug up. Avoid expensive septic repairs by maintaining your septic. There are some very effective products on the market to help you keep your septic healthy.

One thing I learned from an old farmer that would keep an ample supply of bacteria in my septic was a dead animal. Anytime he found a dead possum, rat, or bird, it would go right into the septic tank. The first time I saw him do that, I thought he was just trying to get rid of the dead animal. He explained to me that the bacteria were what kept his septic tank fully operational.

My septic backed up a few years after we bought the house because we didn’t know how to properly maintain it. It was coming up through the toilet and the bathtub. The whole house smelled like an outhouse. It was one of the worse nightmares we ever faced, and the most expensive.

Those of you who have never experienced the problems associated with a septic tank malfunction let me tell you, you don’t want to. Raw sewage floats around your yard and the stench is so bad, you’d think it could eat right through a gas mask. Your whole place, inside and out, will stink to high heaven for days after the septic is repaired or replaced.

It’s funny the things that go through your mind during times like that. As a Christian, I believe the Lord Jesus is always with me, and the whole time we were experiencing that disgusting stench, I was actually a bit worried that my Savior was going to bail out on me. Of course, intellectually, I knew that would never happen. (“lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” Matt. 28:20)

Nevertheless, I kept thinking about what He told the Israelites about burying their “business” because He wandered their camp. It was a silly fear I know, but that’s how BAD it was.

So do yourself a favor and keep cleaning products and tobacco out of the toilet. Run down to the market and get products that help keep your septic healthy. Hey, maybe you can scrape up a road-kill on the way back and toss it in.