What’s the Difference Between a Cesspool and a Septic Tank in Strafford County, NH?

At first glance, a septic system and a cesspool seem pretty much identical—they both handle your waste without using the city sewer system. It’s what happens after you flush the toilet, turn on the sink or take a shower that differentiates a cesspool from a septic tank. Keep reading to learn more about the differences between the two, as well as some basic maintenance items that ensure a properly functioning septic tank in Strafford County, NH.

Septic tanks

A septic system receives waste and water from your home, treats it and then releases it back into the groundwater supply. During this treatment, solids are separated from the wastewater and held in the septic tank. The rest of the water is then dispersed in a drain field in your yard. As long as your system is well maintained, a septic tank and drain field should last for years without encountering any major difficulties.

Cesspools

Unlike a septic tank, a cesspool doesn’t have a drain field to disperse wastewater throughout your yard. A cesspool is basically just a concrete container in the ground that holds waste from your home. Since there’s no drain field attached, cesspools aren’t as eco-friendly and are actually banned in quite a few places.

General maintenance guidelines

As with any aspect of your home, your septic tank needs to be cared for, both by you and by a professional. The points below are just a few of the basic maintenance items that’ll ensure your septic system lasts for years without running into any issues:

• Be careful of what you flush: Watching what goes down your toilets and sinks is the most crucial aspect of septic system maintenance. Anything other than toilet paper should be thrown in the trash, not in the toilet. Feminine products, dental floss, diapers and “flushable” wipes are just a few of the biggest forbidden objects when it comes to maintaining a septic system in Strafford County, NH.
• Conserve water when possible: Your septic tank can only handle so much water at one time. It’s important to monitor how much water you use throughout the day, especially when it comes to washing clothes and dishes. Always use the proper settings to ensure you’re not wasting any water. Additionally, you might want to think about installing low-flow toilets to conserve as much water as possible.
• Call for cleaning or pumping: Your septic tank either needs to be cleaned or pumped every couple of years. Since you can’t do this yourself, you’ll need to choose a reliable company that’ll remove all of the built-up solids from your tank to ensure it doesn’t overflow or have any other issues.

When it comes to caring for a septic system in Strafford County, NH, nobody does it better than B.H. Cameron Septic Services LLC. We offer a variety of septic tank services at some of the most competitive rates in town. Get in touch with us today to find out what we can do for you and your septic system!

Categorised in: Septic System, Septic Tank

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