An onsite sewage system (OSS) is also known as a septic system. OSS are designed to help prevent the spread of illness and disease by collecting, treating and dispersing waste water from a home or business into the native soils near a home or business. Although many cities now use a municipal facility for waste-water treatment, Septic Systems Olympia WA are still in widespread use, especially in rural and less-developed areas. If you own a home with a septic tank, it is important for its long-term functionality to maintain it correctly. You can do this by keeping a few simple rules in mind.
First, it’s important to know where your septic tank and its drain field are physically located. If you know where it is, you can avoid driving, digging or parking on it.
When you’ve determined its location outside, it’s time to think about the inside of the house. Be careful of what goes down your household drains. Keep grease, hair, and food scraps from going down the drain and don’t ï¬ush diapers, plastics, paper towels, cigarettes, personal hygiene products or kitty litter down the toilet. Don’t use automatic toilet bowl cleaner or deodorizers and don’t use excessively strong drain cleaners, such as Drano.
The idea of not “drowning the drain field” where the septic tank drains is something many people are not aware of. You can avoid excessive water in the drainfield by fixing leaky fixtures and toilets and generally conserving water. It also helps to spread laundry out throughout the week and try to do no more than two loads in one day. You may have to divert surface waters and downspouts away from the drainfield if you have a continuous problem in that area.
You should also attempt to keep the septic access clean by checking it regularly and cleaning it out, as necessary. The access is typically located between the house and the tank and is identified as a “capped pipe”. (It’s also useful for unblocking a clogged line.) Finally, don’t poison the system! Never pour products labeled “danger” or “poison” down the drain. Dispose of them properly.
