If you’re a homeowner with a septic system, that means there are a handful of factors you should keep in mind. In the interest of maintenance and preservation, you must be conscious of what your septic system can and cannot handle. That pertains to absolutely everything you put down your drains, and that’s not just for your toilet. That means your sinks, your dishwasher, your shower, and let us not forget about your washing machine. Albeit, septic systems have been a standard form of waste water maintenance for hundreds of years and the technology has come quite a long way since the earliest of tanks. It’s easy to lose track and forget about it altogether. After all, most of what you put down your pipes won’t cause an immediate crisis. But you’d best believe that eventually, being irresponsible is going to come back to bite you. Here are all the rules to owning a washing machine in a home that requires routine septic pumping. Wappingers Falls NY homeowners should be conscious of the following information.
- Update your washing machine: This should apply to everyone, not just those who aren’t using the public sewer system. Older models of top loading washing machines can use up to 30 to 40 gallons of water per load. Not only can this overwhelm your septic tank, but it’s also just a blatant waste of water, which becomes a more limited resource every day. But the environment aside, more water means more work for your septic system. So if your budget permits, it would most certainly be a worthwhile investment to get a new one, preferably a front loading machine. The new models use only about 15 gallons per load.
- Limit your loads: Regardless of what kind of machine you have, you’re still going to be using a ton of water, especially if you find yourself washing laundry for a household full of dirty kids who happen to have soccer practice in the rain several times a week. If that sounds like you, then it’s best to be consistent rather than procrastinate. Too many loads in one day can put strain on the system. That’s why it’s better to spread the loads for throughout the week as opposed to doing four loads all on Sunday. More than two in a day is too much.
- Use your tank: While it may seem self-explanatory, people in the past have been known to connect their washing machines directly to their drain field as opposed to the septic tank. This can be damaging to the surrounding environment, which not only will make your property stink, but it will also get you in some trouble with your neighbors and potentially the township. That’s because the detergent scum can clog the openings in the drain field and ultimately cause the entire system to fail. The tank is there for a reason. Make sure you use it.
Owning a septic system is as functional as any sewer system, provided that you keep up with your maintenance. If you stay conscious of how much water you use and keep up your maintenance, you should have no problems. Bear in mind that that also entails the occasional septic pumping. Wappingers Falls NY septic system installation, cleaning, and maintenance company Jones Septic has you covered. Give us a call today at 800-696-6878 or you can visit our contact page for more information. For more info on washing machines and septic tanks, click here.
