Having clogged drains is a fact of life. Even if you are diligent about keeping foreign things out of the drains, hair can add up, dirt can build up, and clogs can happen. Many homeowners that have septic systems know that septic tank pumping in Napa, CA is a regular maintenance need. But they want to prevent that maintenance need from occurring too frequently when possible. They might, when a clog occurs, turn to chemical drain cleaners to wash those clogs away. However, even though commercials say that’ll take care of any issue, it’s important to know with a septic system, the opposite is true.
Bacteria is an integral part of running a septic system. What that means for drain cleaning is that any chemicals you pour down the drain could potentially kill off bacteria, which has an impact on the entire system. Within the septic tank, it’s the bacteria that breaks down the waste and releases it into the drain field. When the bacteria are killed off, nothing breaks down and tank pumping becomes a necessity.
The biggest problem with drain cleaners and unclogging agents is that they often have ingredients with high levels of bleach and other things that bur away clogs, but kill bacteria at the same time. Instead of reaching for what the commercials say will work, there are safe methods that can maintain your septic tank without problems.
You might want to first try boiling water. It can clear small clogs like hair and grease that might be getting in the way and it won’t damage the pipes or the septic system in any way. If that doesn’t work, you can use the harmless trick of vinegar and baking soda. Pour the baking soda down first then a little vinegar. It will bubble and can take clogs down with it when you then flush hot water down half an hour later.
If the clogs are close by, you can also try to remove them manually with a snake. If that doesn’t work and the drain is still clogged up, you might need a professional to assess what’s going on.
Having a septic tank can be the best solution for homes in certain regions, but you also need to know how to care for it and what you can and can’t use. When clogs get really bad, septic tank pumping in Napa, CA might be the only solution. For advice on what to do with your system, contact the professionals at American Sanitation Inc. You can call us with questions at (707) 554-8258 or set up a time for us to come out and take a look at your system and tell you more about what’s going on and how you can maintain it well. You can also visit with us in person, if you’d like. We’re located at 1729 Action Avenue Napa, CA 94559 and we’re more than happy to go over cleaners with you, what works, what doesn’t, and what you should never use. We want your septic system to operate well!