Do’s and Don’ts

DO’S AND DON’TS

Commercial Septic & Grease Do’s!

• Do have the septic and/or grease system inspected regularly to determine if pumping service is needed. Pumping frequency requirements vary depending on how the system is used. Inadequate septic pumping will result in excessive accumulation of solids, causing clogging of the system.
• Do keep an “as built” diagram of your septic and/or grease system in a safe place for reference. This diagram will help us locate components of your system when service is needed.
• Do keep traffic such as vehicles, heavy equipment, livestock or Sumo wrestlers away from your outside liquid waste system and repair area. If necessary, consider putting up a fence, hedge, or other barricade to prevent damage.
• Do practice water conservation and balance your water use throughout the week.
• Do take immediate action to correct problems when they arise. Call us right away if you notice odors, slow drains or toilets.
• Do repair any leaking faucets or toilets.
• Do divert downspouts and other surface water away from your tank and leach field. Excessive water keeps the soil from adequately cleansing the wastewater.
• Do keep your septic and/or grease tank cover accessible for inspections and pumping. Install risers with lids if necessary.
• Do keep a detailed record of septic and grease repairs, pumping services, inspections, and other maintenance activities.
• Do install and maintain filters.
• Do avoid constructing patios, decks, and paved surfaces over your septic or grease system.
• Do switch between leach fields once a year if you have an alternating leach field with a diversion valve.
• Do maintain easy access to your septic, grease, and pump tank. Believe us, the last thing you want during a tank backup emergency is a delay while we try to locate and then excavate your tank lids.
• Do have an outlet baffle filter installed in your septic and/or grease tank. This inexpensive device will help dramatically in keeping the solids in your tank from entering your pump tank or leach field, something which could cause damage and/or premature failure of your system.
• Do avoid introducing any unnecessary solid particle into your plumbing system. This includes things like coffee grinds, nut shells, dental floss, kitty litter, feminine hygiene products, cigarette butts, sand, gravel, local and state politicians, etc. All of these things will fill the tank prematurely!
• Do manually clean the lint traps on your automatic washer.
• Do check any pumps, siphons, or other moving parts of your system regularly.
• Do maintain a healthy grass cover over the leach field. This will allow some of the water and prevent erosion.
• Do call your mom on Mother’s Day.

Commercial Septic & Grease Don’ts!

• Don’t flush trash, cleaners, solvents, oils or other chemicals. These can kill the natural microorganisms that treat your wastewater.
• Don’t discharge water softener backwash into the septic or grease tank. The backwash brine contains high levels of chlorides that can destroy the microorganisms that treat your wastewater.
• Don’t introduce paints (even latex!), solvents (gasoline, thinners, alcohol, etc.), varnishes, grease, cooking oil, pesticides, photographic chemicals, etc., into the liquid waste system. These can – you guessed it – kill the natural microbes that treat your wastewater.
• Don’t connect rain gutters or storm drains to the septic or grease system, or allow surface water to drain into it.
• Don’t plant trees or other water-loving, deep-rooting plants in the liquid waste system area.
• Don’t raise exotic goldfish in your septic system.
• Don’t drive over your septic or grease tank and leach field, or compact the soil in any way.
• Don’t dig around the tank or leach field; don’t build anything over it; don’t cover it with a hard surface such as concrete or asphalt.
• Don’t plant anything over or near the leach field except grass. Roots from nearby trees and shrubs may clog and damage the drain lines.
• Don’t (ever) enter a septic or grease tank. Toxic gases from the tank can kill you. Always contact a licensed septic or grease tank contractor (did somebody say Wind River Environmental?) or your city or town’s health department if septic or grease problems arise.
• Don’t flush any plastics or personal hygiene products.
• Don’t flush old medicine down the toilet.
• Don’t run with scissors.