Contractors use such factors as the number of occupants, water use, and building size to determine the ideal tank size for homes. But even with these factors in place, there are instances when homes use more water than expected, thereby overloading septic systems during the summer months. Fortunately, there are some tips you can consider to avoid overloading your septic tank.
1. Ensure You Use Less Sink Water Every Time
One of the most effective ways to conserve water and prevent your septic system from overloading is to use as little sink water as possible. You can achieve this in several ways, like lathering your hands with soap but only turning on the water when ready to rinse them.
Another way to use less sink water is to keep water off when brushing your teeth and turn it on when ready to rinse your mouth. Moreover, you should not leave the water running when washing dishes by hand. Instead, soap up each utensil before turning on the water to rinse everything in one go.
2. Keep Your Showers Shorter
While there is no average time for how long you should take a shower, the shorter, the better when conserving water to avoid overloading your septic system during summer.
Long, hot showers are nice and relaxing; however, they always do more harm than good to septic systems. With that said, instead of standing under a shower and wasting water, you should run a hot bath if you want to soak in warm water for 30 minutes or so.
3. Do Not Hose Paved Surfaces; Sweep Them Instead
A clean walkway and driveway will improve your home’s curb appeal. However, you do not need to hose them every time to keep them in tip-top condition. Instead, get a broom to sweep away leaves, dirt, and dust. Using a broom instead of water offers an eco-friendly way to conserve water and prevent your septic system from overloading during summer.
4. Conduct Regular Inspections to Check for Leaks
Did you know that even the smallest leaks can lead to gallons of water waste overall? A good example is a single dripping faucet that sends lots of good water down the drain daily, overloading the septic tank.
To conserve water and prevent septic system overload, have a local plumber check for leaks in your home. Using the right tools, the plumber will identify any leaks and properly fix them as soon as possible.
5. Use Nozzles on Sink and Shower Faucets
Attaching nozzles to faucets limits the amount of water that comes through, thereby conserving it. These nozzles are referred to as flow reducers when used as showerhead attachments. Besides, you can invest in an aerator to achieve comparable results with your sink faucets. With these attachments, you can adjust water pressure manually through each faucet and reduce the amount of water you use in your household.
Conserving water to avoid overloading your septic system during the summer months is much easier than presumed; all you need to do is follow the above guidelines. What’s more, if you are living in Houston, TX and looking for a comprehensive septic tank inspection, call Brown Aerobic today.