If you are a business owner in Annapolis, Maryland, and your business relies on a septic system then you already know that there are additional operational and maintenance requirements that might not be present for firms that rely on traditional city or municipal sewage. Your business is required to treat waste to certain specifications before it can be discharged into municipal wastewater for treatment.
Likewise, caring for a septic system requires a delicate balance of preventative care as well as a basic understanding of behavioral do’s and don’ts to prevent your system from backing up or becoming damaged from environmental influence.
Unfortunately, there are quite a few persistent myths that can lull business owners and managers into a false sense of security and increase their chances of damaging their septic systems. Here are a few of the most common septic system myths that need to be debunked.
Myth: Septic Systems Only Need to Be Pumped Annually
This is a partially true myth yet many business owners cling to it as a default time frame for all businesses. Officially, the general timeline for having your septic system pumped is every one to three years.
Fact: Septic Pumping Frequency Depends on Several Factors
An office building with a septic system may be fine relying on a once-a-year (or even less frequent) pumping schedule. At most, this type of business will deal with restroom waste and maybe occasional food bits rinsed down the office kitchenette sink. So, the chances of experiencing a backed-up system are significantly lower.
But if your business’s core operations create extensive waste or your septic tank isn’t large enough to last extended periods between pumping, an annual pumping plan won’t be enough. Businesses such as restaurants, food processing plants, or even laundromats should opt for a more frequent schedule and could be taking a huge risk by not having their septic systems pumped more frequently.
The Solution
Rather than assuming that you can rely on an arbitrary inspection once a year, consider asking for a consultation to determine the right frequency for your business. An expert septic service provider can analyze your core operations, compare them against the size of your septic tank, and provide a targeted solution that meets the needs of your business and reduces the chances of damaging your septic system because of poor maintenance.
Myth: Garbage Disposals Are Fine with Septic Systems
Garbage disposals are a game changer in many ways because they reduce the amount of solid waste that ends up in landfills and can make cleanup in kitchens easier. So, it’s understandable why business owners (and homeowners) would assume that this device would be helpful for their septic systems.
Fact: Garbage Disposals Can Create Clogs
You might be surprised to learn that garbage disposals are not recommended for homes and businesses that rely on septic systems. Instead of making life easier, they can actually contribute to creating clogs.
This is because while they do effectively break down solid waste, they make your septic system work less efficiently. Instead, it breeds a new problem by contributing to more sludge — or wastewater solids — that settle in the bottom of the tank. However, septic tanks rely on bacteria to break down that solid waste.
When overwhelmed, the bacteria can’t keep up with the amount of sludge being produced. This translates to a decreased tank capacity and a higher risk of more frequent clogs over time.
The Solution
Ideally, you should avoid installing garbage disposals and keep solid waste in the trash. However, if your business does have garbage disposals installed, plan on having your septic tank pumped more frequently to keep your septic system working smoothly.
Likewise, get educated on what items can be safely used in garbage disposal and how to properly use them without damaging or reducing the efficiency of your septic system. When using the garbage disposal, run cold water just before and during its operation since warm water can encourage blockages. Only the following items are considered safe to put in a garbage disposal with a septic system:
- Fruit flesh
- Cooked meat
- Soft or non-fibrous vegetables
- Biodegradable dish soaps
- Ice cubes
Myth: The Drain Cleaner Used Doesn’t Matter for Septic Systems
If there’s a clog, reaching for the drain cleaner seems like a normal solution thanks to commercials advertising how the product can cut through tough blockages in no time. And most people don’t compare options except for claims on how quickly a product can push through a clog.
Fact: Some Drain Cleaners Can Impact Helpful Bacteria in Septic Systems
Unfortunately, the key ingredients that make drain cleaners so effective can be harmful for bacteria in your septic system. As mentioned previously, these bacteria are critical for breaking down solid waste and ensuring that your septic system works smoothly.
Depending on the chemicals found in drain cleaners, they can kill the good bacteria, which leads to reduced efficiency for the septic system. As a result, that very product that’s meant to help you can make a bad situation worse.
You may experience issues like pipes that clog more frequently, a septic tank that fills up faster, damage to your drain field, and even be responsible for contaminating local water sources. Likewise, using an excessive amount of drain cleaner is bad for your pipes’ interior — even if you don’t have a septic system.
The Solution
While business owners should use caution, it is possible to use drain cleaner when you have a septic system. However, experts agree that eco-friendly or natural products are better. This includes options like enzyme-based cleaners or even using a homemade combination of baking soda, vinegar, and water to power through clogs. The main thing to remember is that it should be non-toxic and biodegradable to avoid damaging your septic system.
Myth: You Can Build on Top of Your Septic Tank
This one should be a little obvious, but many people assume that building over or even near their septic tank isn’t a serious issue.
Fact: You Need to Maintain Clear Access to Your Septic Tank
Blocking your septic tank with anything is always going to be a bad idea. However, the severity of damage can vary widely depending on the obstruction. For example, building over a septic tank is a risk simply because it prevents access.
If, for some reason, your septic service provider needs to access the tank, it may not be easily done without removing the obstruction. While this might not be a big deal if you have something portable over the tank, this is a serious issue if the structures blocking the tank require more effort to remove. Also, if your service provider has to find more inventive ways to access the tank, this can translate to spending more for service.
Besides the access hassle, other obstructions can cause tank damage. For example, planting trees too close to your septic tank and pipes can create a recipe for disaster. Tree roots often “seek” out water, and may grow towards your septic tank or pipes. Once reached, those roots will grow onto the tank or pipes, potentially leading to cracks and damage which translates to expensive repairs.
The Solution
Avoid blocking your septic tank either with installations, plants or even temporary structures. Most importantly, if you do choose to install plants over or near your septic system, be sure that they’re non-invasive such as a lawn.
Myth: Well-Maintained Septic Tanks Never Fail
Preventative maintenance is one of the best ways to get the most longevity from a septic system. So, this would seem like a myth that makes sense.
Fact: Even Well-Maintained Septic Tanks May Require Replacement
Yes, in a perfect world, it would be amazing if routine preventative maintenance was all that was needed to keep your septic system running smoothly indefinitely. However, this isn’t a realistic mindset.
Even if you do take good care of your septic tank and system, that’s not a guarantee that it won’t need to be replaced. Maybe it needs to be replaced because local septic codes have changed or a better tank with more efficient waste management solutions is available. In this case, no matter how well-maintained your septic tank is, it’s now either not up to code or doesn’t perform as efficiently as a newer model. So, you need to replace it.
Or, maybe you expand your business operations and as a result, the tank is no longer compatible with the volume of waste that’s being created. Again, the long-term solution would be to replace the tank, rather than just increase the pumping frequency.
The Solution
Knowing that you may have to eventually replace your septic tank isn’t an excuse to not schedule routine maintenance. Instead, look at it as a necessary process and expense — but understand that circumstances may eventually require an upgrade.
Trust the Pros with Your Septic Tank
Parsing myths from facts can save you from costly bills and septic damage. Proper septic system maintenance is critical to ensure that your business runs smoothly. While routine maintenance such as regular pumping and maintenance checks are important, being smart about what you do with and around your septic tank is also important.
Annapolis Septic Service is a local family-owned service provider that has served the Annapolis region since 1967. Our experienced technicians understand how to effectively tackle routine and emergency maintenance needs so that your septic system supports your business goals rather than hindering them. Contact us today for a quote or to schedule service.
