If you have a high iron content in your water at home, you most likely have some sort of treatment or filtration system. While you rightly want to address this issue, don’t forget how it affects your septic system. These filtration systems discharge into the septic tank and suppress the good bacteria your system needs, as well as causing poor separation of the solids in the tank. This means more frequent pumping is a requirement to keep any major issues at bay. Using a monthly bacteria additive for the septic system is also a necessity! Give us a call if you have one of these filtration systems and would like to know how to protect your septic system.
Tag Archives: Bacteria
Winter Tips for Your Septic Tank
- Make sure to keep snowplows away from your tank and drainfield. The plows can compact soil or dig up the area around your system and cause damage.
- When the temperatures drop, you may be concerned about your tank freezing. Completely avoid adding anti-freeze or any other chemicals that could harm the balance of bacteria in the tank. If your septic is used regularly throughout winter months, it will in most cases create enough heat to stay thawed. Although if we have a winter with very little snow cover to act as an insulator, it is wise to throw loose hay/straw or insulation around manhole covers and even the drainfield area or mound. Insulated covers are also available to protect against freezing.
- If you tend to be away for long amounts of time in the winter, make sure your caretaker is aware of where the septic system is located in case of emergency.
Does baking soda help my septic system work better?
Answer: Most enzymes and bacteria grow in a non-acidic environment. By adding baking soda into your septic system, you raise the pH to a neutral condition which makes the bacteria grow faster and digest more of the waste.
