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Non-biodegradable material fibers (polyester, nylon, and other synthetics) are a leading cause of plugged septic system drain fields, sewer pipes, and drains. Typical lint screens used with consumer washing machines and discharge hoses trap less than 5% of these particals. Did you know that even a new septic system can fail in as little as three years? This is primarily due to non-biodegradable material fibers plugging the soil in septic system drain fields.
How Does this Happen?
The majority of lint fibers are very fine lightweight particles that stay in suspension in the septic tank. They then flow with the water out to the drainfield where they plug the pores of the soil. Over time, the soil can become so plugged with fibers that the drain field fails to allow the effluent to migrate through the soil. Then, the homeowner is faced with costly repairs.
Watch your drains
What goes down the drain can have a major impact on how well your
septic system works.
Waste disposal
What shouldn’t you flush down your toilet? Dental floss, feminine hygiene
products, condoms, diapers, cotton swabs, cigarette butts, coffee grounds,
cat litter, paper towels, and other kitchen and bathroom items that can clog
and potentially damage septic system components if they become trapped.
Flushing household chemicals, gasoline, oil, pesticides, antifreeze, and paint
can stress or destroy the biological treatment taking place in the system
or might contaminate surface waters and groundwater. If your septic tank
pumper is concerned about quickly accumulating scum layers, reduce the
flow of floatable materials like fats, oils, and grease into your tank or be
prepared to pay for more frequent inspections and pumping.
Washing machines
By selecting the proper load size, you’ll
reduce water waste. Washing small loads
of laundry on the large-load cycle wastes
precious water and energy. If you can’t
select load size, run only full loads of
laundry.
Doing all the household laundry in one day
might seem like a time-saver, but it could be harmful
to your septic system. Doing load after load does not allow your
septic tank time to adequately treat wastes. You could be flooding your
drainfield without allowing sufficient recovery time. Try to spread water
usage throughout the week. A new Energy Star clothes washer uses
35 percent less energy and 50 percent less water than a standard model.
A Homeowner’s Guide to Septic Systems
Care for your drainfield
Your drainfield is an important part of your septic system. Here are a few
things you should do to maintain it:
• Plant only grass over and near your septic system. Roots from nearby
trees or shrubs might clog and damage the drainfield.
• Don’t drive or park vehicles on any part of your septic system. Doing
so can compact the soil in your drainfield or damage the pipes, tank, or
other septic system components.
• Keep roof drains, basement sump pump drains, and other rainwater or
surface water drainage systems away from the drainfield. Flooding the
drainfield with excessive water slows down or stops treatment processes
and can cause plumbing fixtures to back up.
If the amount of wastewater entering the system is more than the system can
handle, the wastewater backs up into the house or yard and creates a health
hazard.
You can suspect a system failure not only when a foul odor is emitted but
also when partially treated wastewater flows up to the ground surface. By
the time you can smell or see a problem, however, the damage might
already be done.
By limiting your water use, you can reduce the amount of wastewater your
system must treat. When you have your system inspected and pumped as
needed, you reduce the chance of system failure.A system installed in unsuitable soils can also fail. Other failure risks
include tanks that are inaccessible for maintenance, drainfields that are
paved or parked on, and tree roots or defective components that interfere
with the treatment process.
