Septic Tank Too Small? Follow These Tips To Minimize Damage

Septic tanks come in various sizes, and when builders are constructing a home, they typically choose and install the septic tank that's the proper size considering the number of bedrooms in the home and the number of people expected to live there. A 2- or 3-bedroom home, for instance, will typically have a smaller septic tank — maybe a 900-gallon one. A larger home with 4 or 5 bedrooms will have a larger tank — maybe a 1250-gallon one.

So what does this mean for you if you have a smaller home but a lot of residents in that home? Well, chances are you're at risk of over-burdening that septic tank! No, this does not mean you have to run out and have a new tank installed ASAP, but it does mean you need to be careful and take a few extra precautions.

1. Have the tank pumped more often.

The major worry here is that you're putting more solid waste into the septic tank than can break down over time. You can remedy that by having a septic pumping company come pump out the tank every year to two years. (Normally, you would be able to go three years, if not longer, between pumping appointments.) Being proactive with your pumping keeps solids from building up and flowing into the pipes leading to the drain field. 

2. Be careful about your water use.

You don't all have to take sponge baths every night or wash your laundry at the laundromat, but do take steps to minimize water use. Turn the water off while brushing your teeth. Take shorter showers, and spread those showers out throughout the day, rather than all showering one after the other. Use the water-saving mode on your washer and dishwasher when possible.

3. Consider installing a bidet.

You can find inexpensive bidets that mount onto your toilet for a few hundred dollars or less. This will decrease the amount of paper products (toilet paper) that end up in your septic tank, which should help keep it from filling up so quickly. You might be able to go a little longer between pumping appointments with a bidet. It might take a little getting used to, but in time, you'll probably come to love the increased cleanliness that your bidet has to offer.

Life happens, and sometimes you end up with more people living in a home than that home was intended to accommodate. With the right precautions, it will all work out okay, even when it comes to your septic tank. To learn more about septic tank pumping, contact a company like AAA Pumping Service.

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