Septic tanks require a routine maintenance schedule to avoid plumbing issues in your home. You will need to schedule septic tank cleaning every few years or more depending on several factors. There can be some guesswork for how to maintain your septic system between cleanings. Here are a few tips for new septic tank owners who may not know how to extend the time between cleanings and what to expect during cleanings. 

Using Septic Friendly Items

Something any new septic tank owners may not know is there are two kinds of products for the home. There are products that are septic friendly and products that are not septic friendly. If you use products that are not septic friendly, you run the risk of them taking longer to break down. If they take longer to break down, they can cause clogs in the tank and issues with water flow into the tank. These water flow issues will lead to clogs in your plumbing and can lead to cracks and damage. Make sure you are using products labeled septic friendly.

Avoid Grease and Oils

An increasingly popular home item is coconut oil. There are also other oils like coconut that become liquid at lower temperatures and harden when they cool. These types of oils are damaging to a septic tank. They may enter your drain and plumbing as a liquid, but once they reach the septic tank they can harden. These oils are not always caught by grease traps because they enter into the system in a liquid form that is not slowed down by grease traps and other filtration devices. If you use coconut or other oils for homemade beauty products, try to avoid having those enter into your plumbing and septic system. 

Inspection and Initial Cleaning

One of the most important things you can do to help maintain your septic tank as a new owner is schedule an initial cleaning and inspection. This will allow you to make sure the tank is in good condition and there are no initial issues that should be taken care of. You will also find out when and how often to schedule your ongoing maintenance and cleaning of the tank. 

These are just a few of the tips you can take to help extend the time between your routine cleanings. These tips can also help you maintain the longevity of your septic system. When you are ready to have your first tank cleaning and inspection, contact your local septic service provider. They can arrange a consultation and help with any questions you have.

For more information about septic tank cleaning, contact a company like Geno's Septic Service.