Aug 23, 2022

Kids and Septic Systems

There are a few things you can do to keep your family safe when it comes to septic systems. The first is to know how septic systems work and how they can affect your health. Most septic systems are designed to last a long time but can experience problems. A clogged leach field is one of the most common issues. When this happens, it can cause your system to back up and overflow into your yard. Septic Blue of Raleigh is your expert septic company and always prepared to assist with septic tank repair.

If you have children in your home, keeping them away from your septic tank is crucial. Your kids may not realize there are dangers involved with playing around a septic tank and could be injured by falling into it or even opening the lid and getting toxic gases in their lungs.

Drain Fields

The septic tank is an underground tank that is used to treat wastewater. The wastewater flows into the septic tank, broken down by bacteria and other organisms. The solid waste remains in the tank, and the liquid flows out of an outlet pipe and into the drain field.

Do Not Put Play Equipment Near the Drainfield

Do not put play equipment near the drainfield. Do not put sandboxes, swings, or other playground equipment near the drainfield. If a child falls in, they could get stuck or injured by sharp objects in the soil.

Prevent Clogs By Children

Children should be told not to flush objects such as plastic toys or diapers down toilets. These items can clog your pipes or cause wastewater backups into your house. This can lead to serious damage if left untreated for long periods of time (such as a year).

Educate Children About Septic Tank Safety

The most critical thing you can do is educate your children about septic systems. Teach them that the toilet is not a toy and that they should not play in the drainfield. If they have questions about their toilet, bathroom, or anything else related to the plumbing system in your home, they should ask an adult for help.

Don’t Run Water If You Aren’t Using It

A common mistake people make is running water in their sinks with no intention of using it. This can lead to flooding in your home and damage your septic system. To avoid this problem, turn off the sink when you aren’t using it and only run water when necessary. Also, ensure that all faucets have installed aerators so they don't leak as much water when closed off.

The Toilet Is Not a Toy

Many parents have had the unfortunate experience of finding their child playing in the toilet bowl or even sitting on top of it! This is gross and dangerous because kids can fall into the toilet if they are not careful. Make sure your child knows that the toilet is not a toy and teach him how to flush properly so that he won’t put his hand inside while it is flushing.

What Not To Flush

Children should know what is safe to flush down their toilets and what should not be flushed down at all! Garbage such as food scraps, diapers, and sanitary napkins should never be flushed down into a septic tank, as these items will clog up your system and cause expensive repairs.

Keep Children Away From The Septic Tank

Children should be kept away from the septic tank, drain field, and leach lines. This can be accomplished by not having toys or playing equipment near these areas. It is also important to keep children out of any area where you are working on your septic system.

Do Not Play In the Drainfield

The drain field is an area of gravel or soil between the septic tank and the house where the wastewater drains into the ground. Children or pets should not use the drain field as a play area, as they may disturb the gravel covering the drain field and expose them to human waste contamination.

Designate Safe Zones To Play

If you have a sandbox in your yard, this would be a good place for children to play with sand toys when they are not playing outside in other areas of your yard. Designate other areas for playing sports such as football, soccer, or baseball so that no one plays in these areas when it is raining or wet outside.

Septic Blue of Raleigh

Many septic systems fail because of poor maintenance. Like cars, the system needs to be inspected regularly and maintained before big problems arise, needing an expensive septic tank repair. Septic tank pumping by Septic Blue of Raleigh can add years to the life of your septic system and lower your total costs for owning a home on a septic system. Children can easily flush something and cause necessary repairs. Septic Blue of Raleigh is always here to help.