Laundry equipment uses a lot of water. Older washers can use as many as 50 gallons per load. That’s a lot of water to add to your septic system at one time. Laundry detergents can also cause problems for your septic system. Can your washer and your septic system co-exist peacefully? Fortunately, with some careful water management, your washer and your septic system can play on the same team.
Your laundry equipment has some dirty laundry
Here are a few tips for ensuring that your laundry equipment respects the limits of your septic system.
Limit your daily loads. Your washing machine can run 24 hours a day, but your septic system can only manage about two loads per day. If you want to reduce the wear and tear on your septic system, limit the amount of laundry you do each day. It’s not as efficient as “washday,” but your septic tank with thank you.
Limit your water usage. Another way to help your septic tank is by updating your washing machine. If your laundry equipment is more than 10 years old, you could benefit from a new, water-saving washing machine. These washers significantly reduce the amount of water they use per load. You can give your septic tank a break, or possibly squeeze in a third load.
Switch your detergent. Detergent makes a big difference in how your laundry equipment performs and what happens in your septic tank. Your septic tank can take small amounts of detergent and bleach, but some cleaners just aren’t very kind to your septic tank. Powdered detergents can reconstitute in drains and in septic tanks. This reconstituted powder is rock-hard and it reduces the volume of solids your tank can manage. It can also completely block drains inside your home and in your septic tank. Don’t use powdered detergents with your laundry equipment or your dishwasher.
Consider a dry well. You can construct a dry well that can safely manage your “greywater” waste. Greywater is water that’s been used for washing but is not necessarily “septic.” Used with the right detergents, dry wells can help discharge water back into the ground without contaminating it or saturating your septic field.
Clear Drain Cleaning can help you maintain your drains, both inside and outside of your home. Please give us a call at (330) 343-7146 and we can inspect your drains and remove any clogs or debris that may be interfering with proper water drainage.
