Common septic system myths

It’s pretty common for humans to have misconceptions about plenty of things in their lives and it’s not any different when it comes to septic systems. Many people are used to sewer, so septic systems, how they work and how they’re supposed to function are mostly concepts that aren’t on people’s minds until they have to be.

Today, we’re going to debunk a few myths surrounding septic systems so that you can proceed into the future with the confidence that you’ll be able to keep your tank working for years to come. Let’s jump right in!

Household cleaners and chemicals won’t damage your tank: false

You might not ‘break’ a system using cleaners and chemicals, but you’re definitely going to disrupt the balance or organic life that are in your septic tank. These bacteria are crucial to keeping your system running properly. Don’t make the mistake of flushing chemicals down the toilet or kitchen drain simply out of convenience. These chemicals can have a long-lasting negative effect.

Preventative maintenance costs too much

No way – not even close! Simply put, if you let any problem linger, it’s going to get worse and eventually it could cause a disaster. What’s worse is when something goes wrong, it’s always at the worst possible time. Don’t let that happen to you! Preventative maintenance will get ahead of problems before they become genuine issues and over the long haul – will save you a lot of money!

Old systems need additives to work

Hate to break it to you guys, but there just isn’t any additive or magic formula that will make your tank ‘work like new’. It just doesn’t exist. While these additives can help a little, they’re still no replacement for regularly scheduled pumping and maintenance. Some solids basically can’t be broken down anyway – and no magic additive will make that happen.

Additionally, these additives can cause a severe amount of damage to the bacterial life in your tank and disrupt the breakdown of other substances. Long story, short – additives won’t do too much damage to your system – but don’t expect them to be very helpful either. They certainly won’t help your old tank operate better.

If you’re new to the world of lift stations and septic tanks, give our team here in Tampa a call today and we’ll be happy to give you a free consultation. Good luck!