Septic Tips

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How to get a Longer Life from your Septic System

Use your Garbage Disposal Sparingly:

Your garbage disposal accounts for 60% to 70% of the solids, fats and grease that flows into your septic tank. They will clog your pipes and fill your septic tank prematurely.

Septic Tips, Land O’Lakes, FL

Spread out your Washing Machine Usage:

Washing machines are responsible for large volumes of water entering the septic tank at one time. The surge of wash water can create heavy loading on the drain field. Space washings throughout the week rather than doing many loads on one day.

Do not Pour Cooking Oils or Grease Down the Sink or Toilet:

Cooking oils and grease are troublemakers. The type of bacteria found in septic tanks and drain fields do not survive or function well in solidified grease. Grease and cooking oils should NEVER be washed down the sink drain. Save grease in jars for disposal in the garbage.

Do not Flush the Wrong Items into your System:

Do not flush baby wipes, paper towels, rags, feminine hygiene products, disposable diapers, cigarette butts, plastic, coffee grounds or kitty litter into your system. These items do not deteriorate and will prematurely fill your tank. Regardless of packaging claims, DO NOT flush these items into your septic system.

Do not Flush Toxic Materials such as Pesticides or Bleach into the System:

Using bleach in the laundry kills the good bacteria in your septic system. So does flushing pesticides down the drain. The good bacteria are necessary for your septic system to function properly. Also, never flush antibiotics down the drain.

Do not use Drain Cleaner:

Less than 1 oz. of drain cleaner kills all the good bacteria in your septic system. The good bacteria can take months to recover.
Instead of drain cleaner, we recommend BlueLine Superstrength formula- check out this link for more info on a great bacterial formula.

Never Drive over nor Park on your Drainfield or Septic Tank:

Your drain field pipes or tank can be crushed. Compaction of the soil seriously deteriorates the soils ability to percolate and filter the water.

Do not Plant Trees or Bushes over the Tank or Drainfield:

Roots can crack and damage the drain field pipes and septic tank. A good rule is to plant small trees and shrubs at least 5 feet, medium trees at least 15 feet, and large trees at least 25 feet from the edge of the system.

*These suggestions are from the EPA, Florida Department of Health and Hillsborough County Health Department.


At Quality Septic Inc., we offer septic tips in Land O’Lakes, Brandon, Lutz, Plant City, Lakeland, Ruskin, Seffner, Odessa, Valrico, Wimauma, and Tampa, Florida.