People have septic systems for all kinds of different reasons. For some people, they are a matter of necessity.

If you live too far away from the sewage treatment plant, then a septic system is the solution. Other people prefer septic systems because these systems add nutrients to the soil naturally. All of the waste that is funneled into a septic system is separated and the nutrients and organic matter is slowly released into the soil of the so called “release field.” These nutrients help create some of the best soil going.

Whatever the reason a home has a septic system, however, one thing holds true. If you do not maintain your system properly, you could face a huge repair bill. Failed septic systems can cause an extraordinary amount of damage to property, and a system failure definitely is not going to win you any friends with the neighbors, either.

Here is what you need to know about septic system maintenance so you can avoid the problems and keep your costs down.

The first stage of septic system maintenance happens every day. You have to use the system properly in the first place to prevent any major disasters.

One of the biggest things homeowners do wrong for a septic system is pouring used cooking oil down the drain. Doing this even on time can clog your septic system. You should always dispose of cooking oil in a container and put it in your trash.

Cleaning products are another septic system buster. Bleach, antibacterial kitchen spray, window cleaner and so on – all of these products can wreck havoc on your septic system. It is unavoidable that some of these products will find their way down your drains, but do not pour bottles of the stuff down there.

If you need to dispose of old cleaning fluids, simply toss the bottle with the liquid in it in your trash.

Make sure the toilet paper you choose says that it is compatible with septic systems – the chemicals in your septic system must be able to break down the paper or it will clog. If your toilet or drains clog inside your home, make sure any drain clearing products you choose are compatible with septic systems.

Many are not, and the wrong product will eat through your pipes.

Using your system properly day in and day out is not enough. Every septic system needs to be professionally maintained as well. A maintenance crew needs to come out, clear your sludge and scum out of your tank and make sure the pipes and pumps associated with the system are in working order and not leaking.

With normal use, your septic system will need a professional cleaning every two years.

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Having a hot water heater and multiple people in the home means the last person to take a shower usually gets stiffed in the hot water department. If this has ever happened to you, you likely either get a lukewarm shower or freezing cold water halfway through your shower.

In this scenario, you likely have a traditional, hot water heater with a large tank, holding a certain number of gallons. With a tankless water heater though, you would not have to worry about that cold shower ever again.

How Tankless Hot Water Heaters Work

Unlike large, heavy and bulky hot water heaters with tanks, the tankless water heater (typically electric) is a small unit that takes up little space and is usually installed on the outside wall of a home or in the place of the old water heater. This tankless version is set on a specific water temperature so when you turn on a hot water faucet inside your home, the unit kick starts, heating the water immediately.

In other words, your water is only heated when you are using it rather than the tanked version which uses up energy constantly keeping water hot in the large tank. It can be quite expensive keeping this stored water hot, even during those times when it is not used.

Cost Efficient

Your utility bills will lower if you have a tankless water heater since energy is only spent heating water when you need it, instead of constantly in a tank water heater.

A lot of energy is spent with traditional hot water tanked heaters, because it keeps cycling to maintain hot water in the tank regardless of whether you are home or not.

What you may not realize with the tanked version of water heaters is that they often overheat the water so that there is little chance of running out of hot water when you need it. In addition, these tanks will also add cold water as needed to ensure the water coming out of your tap is not scalding. These little quirks are what keep your utility or electric bills high in addition to the practice being environmentally wasteful.

A tankless water heater is efficient and will save you money in the long run.

While the initial cost of a tankless water heater is about two to three times that of a traditional tank hot water heater, you will easily recoup the cost within two years. Energy savings of 25 to 50 percent is quite feasible and realistic, depending on where you live. There are also other benefits to the tankless water heater and they include a lifetime warranty (no tank water heater has that), no leakage possibilities, and environmentally friendliness since it requires less energy and therefore less fossil fuels for operation.

In addition, a tankless water heater takes up little space and it is healthier too since there is no water sitting around in a tank, possibly breeding bacteria.