Spring Cleaning? Don'T Forget About The Septic System And Plumbing

Posted on: 23 May 2016

Spring cleaning generally entails cleaning things like your kitchen, windows, baseboards, and more. There is more to cleaning, however, and some things you likely do not consider as part of your spring cleaning to-do list. Two of these things are your septic tank and plumbing system.  Keep reading for some helpful information about this.

Clean the Septic Tank

Because your septic tank is buried beneath the ground, it is easy to forget about. It is an important part of your plumbing, however. It goes through a lot of wear and tear as it is constantly working 24/7. Make sure you give your septic system the proper maintenance so it will run smoothly and last a long time for you.

When you flush your commode, the waste water flows straight to your septic tank. Once it arrives, the solid waste sinks to the bottom. Bacteria that is in the tank then breaks down this solid waste and turns it into sludge. The middle area of the waste is water, and the oils and fats are the top layer and creates a sludge.

You should have your septic tank pumped regularly. If you do not, over time you will start seeing standing water or wet areas around the tank, which is known as the drain field. Your toilets may run slower or you may smell odors in your house.

The average cost of pumping and dumping out a septic tank is approximately $75 to $200,. Hire a local company to come to your home and pump it for you. They can also clean the tank while they are there.

Clean the Plumbing Drains

Something else you should do during your spring cleaning is to clean the plumbing drains in your bathroom, kitchen, and bathtub. This is especially true if you smell any odors coming from them. This is something that will be very easy for you to do on your own.

Pour approximately one cup of white vinegar into the drain and then immediately put approximately two tablespoons of baking soda down the drain. You will immediately start hearing a fizzing sound. While it is fizzing, it is cleaning the debris built up along the sides of the drain.

Once you stop hearing the fizzing sound you can pour a pot of boiling water down the drain to further clean it. Repeat this for each drain you have in your home. If you still smell any kind of odors coming from your drains after you do this, you should contact a plumber to clean the plumbing pipes for you.

Talk with a local plumber and septic tank company like Honest John's Septic Service Inc about how often you need to have these things cleaned. 

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