Preventing Drain Clogs and Clogged Septic Systems

 

Nobody wants a clog, but if you have a septic system, clogs can be especially tricky. That’s why we recommend that anyone who has a septic system becomes an expert on how clogs are formed.

This is the Speedy Septic guide to clogged septic systems and how to prevent clogs. We’ll teach you precisely what you can and can’t put down your drain, what options you have at your disposal if you notice slowing drains, and when to call a professional for help.

Tips for Preventing Drain Clogs

In many cases, septic line backups are an avoidable problem. And, it doesn’t take much time or effort to keep your plumbing system flowing smoothly. Here are some easy ways you can prevent a clogged septic line:

• Be careful about what you put down the drain: Avoid putting grease, oils, and fats down the drain, as they can solidify and cause clogs. Also, avoid putting fibrous materials such as fruit and vegetable peels, coffee grounds, and eggshells down the drain, as these can get tangled in your pipes and cause blockages.
• Use a drain strainer: A simple way to prevent clogs in your kitchen sink is to use a drain strainer. These inexpensive devices fit over your drain and catch food particles and other debris, preventing them from going down the drain and causing clogs.
• Flush only toilet paper: Toilet paper is designed to break down quickly in water, making it the only material that should be flushed down the toilet. Avoid flushing any other materials, including wipes, feminine hygiene products, and paper towels, as these can cause serious clogs in your plumbing system.

How Do Septic Drains Get Clogged?

Septic drains are built to be sturdy and reliable. However, many things can cause a backup or malfunction, and it’s not always your fault. You can, however, dramatically lower your risk of clogs by knowing what’s most likely to cause one.

Some of the most common reasons why septic drains get clogged include:

• Grease buildup: Fats, oils, and grease that are poured down your drains can solidify and form stubborn clogs that are difficult to get rid of.
• Flushed objects: Non-flushable items like paper towels, sanitary products, and wipes can back up your septic line or damage your septic system.
• Aging pipes: Over time, septic pipes can corrode, collapse, or become misaligned, leading to major problems like leaking or cracked pipes.
• Tree root intrusion: This can be particularly frustrating because, even if you do everything you’re supposed to, as trees and shrubs grow, their roots can infiltrate your septic line and cause serious blockages or damage.

The Big Question – Is It a Backup or a Clog?

With septic systems, the signs of a clog and the signs of a backed up system can mirror each other closely. Unpleasant smells, standing water, backed up sinks, bathtubs, and toilets are all signs of each.

If you have a backed up system, make sure to call for professional septic pumping ASAP.

Why Preventing Clogs Is Especially Imporant on Septic

• You own the whole problem: Unlike city sewers that whisk waste away, your septic system is on your property. A clog means sewage can back up into your house or yard, and it’s all your responsibility.
• It can wreck your drainfield (the most expensive component): A clog can force solids into your drainfield, causing permanent damage. A drainfield replacement can cost you tens of thousands of dollars.
• Your yard becomes a biohazard: When a septic system fails, raw sewage can surface on your lawn. It’s a foul-smelling, unsanitary mess that a sewer-connected home will never experience.
• The fix may be a major operation: With conventional plumbing, clearing a clog is often nothing more than a simple snaking job. A clog in a septic system often requires expensive tank pumping, high-pressure jetting, or even excavation.
• You can’t use chemical drain cleaners: Plumbers recommend using these cleaners sparingly because they’re highly toxic and corrosive to plumbing systems. With septic systems, you can’t use them even once. Your septic tank is its own ecosystem and adding drain cleaner will destroy it.

What to Do If You Have a Clog Somewhere in Your Septic System

If you experience a clog in your septic system, the first step is determining the extent of the clog. Does it seem like a small clog, or a major clog? And where is the clog located – is it isolated to a single drain in the kitchen or bathroom, or is it a problem affecting the whole system?

If it’s a small, isolated clog, you may be able to fix it yourself. If it’s a large clog in the system, we don’t recommend attempting to fix it yourself. And if you don’t feel confident, it may be best to do nothing and simply call a professional. The last thing you want to do is make the problem worse.

For more information, check out our article on what to do about a clogged septic drain.

Need Drain Cleaning or Septic Pumping? Call Us!

If you have a septic system, it’s important to take care of it properly and do everything you can to prevent clogs because they can be a real pain.

If you do have a clog (or backup), don’t worry – just call the local septic services pros at Speedy Septic. We’re here anytime you need us for drain cleaning, septic pumping, and much more.

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