How a Septic System Works
Rachel Kline • November 10, 2019
And how a septic system additive can help!
If you own a home with a septic system, it’s important to know how things work. Not only does a basic understanding of your home's largest utility help you to better maintain it, knowing where things are located can help you troubleshoot problems should you experience a backup or a clog.
When you schedule service with John Kline Septic
, our technicians will explain exactly what they're doing and can show you where your septic system components are located. We can even draw you a map of your tank and drainfield to keep with your home blueprints if necessary.
How Does a Septic System Work?
In a septic system, solid waste settles to the bottom, while scum rises to the top. The excess liquid is pushed out into the drainfield where it filters back into the ground. Inside the tank, bacteria break down the solids but over time the tank fills up and requires pumping.
Your septic tank can only handle so much water at a time so it’s important to conserve water. The two biggest water users in your home are your shower and your washing machine so try spacing out your water usage when possible. We also recommend installing low flow or high efficiency toilets and shower heads.
What is a Septic System Additive?
Not only is a septic system additive part of a smart routine maintenance plan, it offers a variety of benefits that can save you money in the long run! - A septic system additive like Bio-Active can help keep your system healthy. If you regularly use anti-bacterial products or flush harsh chemicals down the drain, you may be destroying the “healthy” bacteria needed to break down solids and process waste. An additive contains the right kind of bacteria to help restore balance and keep your tank functioning properly.
- Septic additives can help prevent backups. If your septic system has a history of backups or problems, an additive like Bio-Active can help keep things flushing smoothly. By regulating your tank’s bacteria levels, additives break down solids and waste so your tank drains properly and is easy to pump every 3 years.
- A septic system additive can extend the life of your septic system. If your system is old or you’re not sure how often it was pumped by previous owners, an additive is a cost efficient part of any routine maintenance plan. Bio-Active can restore the balance in your septic tank so it can continue functioning properly for years to come.
- A septic additive can save you money. That’s right – keeping your system healthy with a product like Bio-Active can save you money on service and repairs. When your system is working as it should a backup is unlikely and you won’t be charged additional fees for heavy solids disposal during your regular pumping.
If you’d like to learn more about septic system maintenance, check out our frequently asked questions page. Or better yet, contact us today to schedule your Lancaster Pa septic pumping
and claim your year’s supply of Bio-Active septic additive.
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January 8, 2025, Welcome to Septic Tank Services in Lancaster Pa. John Kline Septic Services provides residential septic tank cleaning services in Lancaster, Lebanon, York and Dauphin counties. All of our technicians are PSMA certified inspectors to perform real estate septic tank treatment assessments and township septic tank inspections, as well as small Septic Repairs and Pumping Diagnostics. Let us take care of all your sewage and waste disposal needs. We are now offering Restaurant Grease Trap Cleaning and High Pressure Jetting for the Commercial food industries. We service septic and holding tanks, and provide grease pumping at affordable rates.