Being a homeowner means having to actively manage different home systems. One of these is your septic system. One thing, however, that may cause problems for certain people is the amount of false information and myths circulating about septic tank use. Knowing what myths are false can certainly help you when managing your septic system.

You Don’t Necessarily Have to Pump Your Septic Tank

Some people mistakenly believe that if you are extra careful with what you flush down your toilet and use enzymes like Rid-X to break down the sewage, you won’t have to actually pump your septic system. This is absolutely false. A septic system should be pumped every two years. In fact, if you are flushing an even larger amount than a normal household, you may even need to have it pumped more often than that. If you don’t have your tank pumped on schedule, you could end up with a septic backup. When that occurs, sewage and human waste may end up being pushed back into your yard or even inside your home. This is a horrible situation you certainly don’t want to put your family through.

It Doesn’t Matter What You Flush Down Your Toilet

Some people have the poor habit of flushing nearly anything they consider trash down the toilet. They think that as long as it flushes, it can’t possibly be a problem. This is certainly not the truth. There are many things you should absolutely never flush down your toilet. This includes things such as:

• Cat litter
• Chewing gum
• Condoms
• Diapers
• Feminine products
• Grease
• Paper towels
• Medicine
• Oil
• Wipes

This is actually only a starting list of all the items you should never flush down the toilet. Overall, you should only be flushing toilet paper and human waste. Try to limit the things you send down your sink drains as well. Always make sure you properly dispose of oil and grease instead of pouring it down the drain.

You Can Build or Plant on Top of Your Septic System

Another mistake people have is that their septic system can’t be disrupted once it’s inserted into the ground. The tank, for example, may be made out of a sturdy material like concrete, so it should be safe, right? This isn’t true at all. Never build on top of either the septic tank or the drain field. Doing so can cause your entire system to fail. In fact, try not to plant trees anywhere near your system either. The root systems of large trees are certainly strong enough to disrupt and even destroy a septic system.

If you live near Greensboro, NC, and need residential septic services, please consider hiring our company, Billingsley & Brooks Septic Tank Co., for the job. We pump septic tanks, perform inspections, install new septic systems, perform septic maintenance, and more. Whatever you need, we have the expertise and experience to do the job right.