Guest Post: Betsy Robinson of Area Real Estate Partners
In our last article on septic systems in Whispering Pines, North Carolina we mentioned how critical it is to maintain our septic systems properly. This is both for the health and safety of the individual homeowner as well as assuring the purity of one of our most treasured natural resources, the eight community lakes that make Whispering Pines, North Carolina so beautiful and sought after as a place to live.
Water Use
Proper maintenance of septic systems in Whispering Pines, North Carolina begins with understanding the importance of water use. Realizing that drain fields do not have unlimited capacity is the most basic lesson. The typical rule of thumb is that the drain field is designed so that each person, based on counting two people to each County approved bedroom, will consume no more than 50 gallons a day under normal circumstances. This may seem like a lot, but usage adds up quickly. Long showers, soaking baths in Jacuzzi tubs, multiple wash loads, and constant "turning on the water" in the kitchen can all add up, particularly if a family is large. There are also "silent" users, like leaky faucets or toilets. The life of all septic systems is finite, but water conservation can extend significantly how long the system will last.
Waste Disposal Habits
Just as important is what is put into any septic system in Whispering Pines. Do not use your septic tank as a trash can for tissues, sanitary napkins, cigarette butts, cotton swabs, cat box litter, coffee grounds, or other like substances. If you have a garbage disposal, use it sparingly. Better yet, take it out! Grease and cooking oils damage the system, so be extra careful in handling items such as bacon grease before washing the container in which it was cooked. And the use of your utility sink in the garage? Be sure not to poison your system by killing all the helpful bacteria by allowing harmful chemicals such as oils, paints, paint thinners, pesticides, and other like substances to be washed down the drain. Somehow it is easy to think that since you are not in the house and the sink is not porcelain or stainless steel anything can be "washed away".