How COVID-19 Affects Your Septic System

From the way we go to work and learn to the way we interact with others, the coronavirus pandemic has changed nearly every aspect of our daily routine. One thing that’s often overlooked, though, is the relationship between COVID-19 and septic systems in Strafford County, NH.

This post will cover everything you need to know about how the pandemic has affected septic systems and what you can do to ensure your system stays in working order.

Bathrooms

With so many of us working from home, our bathrooms are getting a lot more use than they have in the past. Instead of taking a quick shower and using the toilet in the morning before heading to the office, we’re staying at home throughout the day, flushing more frequently and possibly taking longer showers.

More wastewater flowing from your home to the septic tank puts more pressure on the system and fills the tank up faster. If possible, we recommend spacing out your family’s showers and flushing less frequently to avoid overuse.

Washing machines

Even though we may wear the same outfit each day for Zoom meetings, many Americans are doing laundry more frequently. If you’re at home all day, you might as well run a few loads, right? While that is convenient, it’s not great for your septic system!

Wastewater from your washing machine fills up your septic tank rather quickly. When there’s too much water in the tank, the tank may release the water into the leach field before it’s been properly treated.

For best results with COVID-19 and septic systems in Strafford County, NH, avoid doing laundry so frequently, and be sure to do smaller loads each time.

Kitchens

Cooking at home instead of dining out at a restaurant has become the new normal. All of that extra cooking means more pots and pans to clean and more fats, oils, grease (FOGs) and food scraps that go down the drain. Anything other than water that slips down the kitchen sink can clog up your septic system, resulting in nasty backups.

To reduce the chance of plumbing clogs or issues with the tank, be sure to scrape any leftovers in the trash can and never dump FOGs down the sink.

Disinfectants

Another way COVID-19 and sewage systems in Strafford County, NH become intertwined is the fact that we’re cleaning our homes more frequently. It gives us peace of mind to use virus- and bacteria-killing disinfectants, but those same cleaners can also harm our septic tanks.

The good bacteria in septic systems are affected by these powerful chemical cleaners and are then unable to break down waste as well as they used to.

Though we still want you to clean your home, be sure your cleaners aren’t flowing down the drain and are only going in the trash can.

Have your septic system inspected today

The best way to ensure your septic system is able to meet all of your needs is with yearly inspections. If it’s been a while since you’ve had a professional inspect your system, then hire our pros at B.H. Cameron Septic Services LLC. Give us a call to schedule our services or to learn more about COVID-19 and sewage systems in Strafford County, NH.

Categorised in: Septic System

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