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Latest Articles
When to Consider Hiring a Heating and Cooling Company
The weather is not something you can control, and whenever you go outside, you are forced to layer up and adapt to the temperature. In your own...
on Mar 1, 2021
Important Roofing Regulations to Consider
Having a home you can truly enjoy that is not only liveable, but safe, sturdy, and a delight to inhabit requires more than picking out the right...
on Feb 24, 2021
What to Consider When Choosing a Furnace Service Contractor
HVAC systems are among the costliest systems that you can install in your house. Therefore, you would probably want to do all possible things for...
on Feb 19, 2021
Choosing a Reliable Furnace System for Your Home
Either way, it would be great if you can invest in something you will benefit from for a pretty long time. If that is the case, you would know that...
on Feb 19, 2021
Lawyers vs. Real Estate Agents: Who to Hire When Buying a House
Because buying a house is already so expensive, most buyers would want to spend as little extra money as possible. Consequently, some may balk at...
on Feb 18, 2021
Popular Articles
When to Use a Brush, Roller or Sponge Brush
Brushes are a good choice for painting trim and woodwork. They are also useful for cutting in the edges around the top and bottom edges and corners...
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Three Places to Spend Money on the Exterior of Your Home
When you have the exterior of your home remodeled, you are investing, time, energy and convenience into the project and you want to make sure that...
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Homemade Headboards-Make an Upholstered or Wooden Headboard
Homemade headboards can add a lot of personality to any bedroom. They can be coordinated with existing furniture and room decor or they can be the...
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Creating a Cottage Kitchen with Bead Board
Kitchen decor can range from modern and bold to elegant and elaborate by using strategic kitchen pieces. One of the most popular decorating trends...
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Gas Fireplace Diagnostics and Troubleshooting
Follow these steps for diagnosing and troubleshooting Gas Fireplaces repairs. For the average DIYer, this may seem intimidating, depending on the...
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Soggy Drainfields: Tips to Help Your Septic System Work
by Guest on Feb 7, 2014
Going to the bathroom isn't something you advertise. It's not something you give thought to unless something's wrong. But, ignoring the septic system in your home, and failing to take preventative measures against catastrophe is the surest way to experience one. Yuck. Here are some ways to keep your system working properly.
Conserve Water
So, one of the first, and most important, things you can do is conserve water to reduce the load on the septic system. For example, do laundry throughout the week instead of all on Saturday or Sunday. This will help space out the water usage and stress on the system. Also, use flow reducer nozzles on all showers and install low-flow toilets.
Assess The Risk Of Tree Root Invasion
Tree roots kill septic systems. Keep trees at least 100 feet away from the system, and with aggressive roots, you should make sure they're planted even farther away. Consider removing or moving trees that are invading your system.
Deal With A Soggy Drainfield Now
A soggy drain field is a drain field that can't handle the waste you're giving it. Design landscaping, roof gutters, and the foundation of your home so that it drains and diverts excess water away from the septic system.
Only Flush You-Know-What
Don't flush cat litter, diapers, or anything else down the toilet. Even facial tissues, coffee grounds, and cigarette buts can cause trouble for your septic system. And, even though warranty companies like Choice Home Warranty will cover you, it's going to create one heck of a mess that you'll have to live with while the fix is being done. And, your insurance company might not cover some of the systemic damage caused to the house or lawn (homeowner's insurance often doesn't cover landscaping).
Use Garbage Disposals Intelligently
You've probably seen some funny videos on YouTube or Facebook emulating the “will it blend” YouTube sensation. But, this isn't something you want to try at home at your disposal. It's a terrible idea and a good way to ruin your septic system. These things can easily double your solid waste in the system, so only dump organic materials down here that break down easily or upgrade to the top of the line disposal unit that grinds everything into a fine “dust.”
Don't Overuse Chemicals
Chemical drain cleaners, like Drano and bleach, can quickly deteriorate your septic system. They also kill beneficial bacteria in the tank that are breaking down the solids.
Don't Pour Grease Down The Drain
This is probably the most common thing people do. Don't pour grease down the drain. It doesn't matter than your neighbor, brother, mother, and college roommate do it. It's not good for your system. If you aren't saving bacon grease for future cooking (big mistake, by the way), and you don't like keeping grease in the fridge, then package it up in a plastic container and throw it away. It's easier to throw it down the drain the first few times. But, it's expensive and inconvenient to fix your drainage and septic system later when it backs up with sludge.
Katy Butler owns an old home that is always in need of attention. She lets off steam by blogging about her experiences on home design and decorating sites.
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