A septic tank that is functioning normally and working right is a powerful tool for disposing of waste and keeping the environment clean. Your home septic tank relies on a delicate balance of beneficial bacteria and material screens to process the waste your family generates, and you rely on that system every time you flush the toilet.
When you flush the toilet, you trust that everything will work the way it should, and that the material will enter the septic tank and be processed in a sanitary manner. In most cases, that is exactly what will happen, but what do you do when things go wrong.
Septic Tank Emergencies Cannot Wait
When your septic tank backs up or your toilet does not flush, you cannot afford to wait. A septic tank emergency is nothing to fool around with, and you need to act – and act fast.
When something happens to your home septic system, or you suspect there is a problem, your first call should be to a professional septic service. The pros will have the expertise and experience needed to isolate the problem and fix it right, but in the meantime, there is something you can to do mitigate the damage and prevent further damage to your home.
The Power of Baking Soda
You already know that baking soda is one of the most versatile items in your pantry. A box of baking soda can banish odors from your fridge and freshen up the litter box. A dab of baking soda can even clean your teeth and make your bad breath go away. But did you know that baking soda can also save you from a septic tank emergency, or at least buy you time until the professional septic service arrives?
Baking soda should be part of your regular septic tank maintenance, and its unique properties can keep the lines clear, improve the performance of the entire system and prevent harmful backups and unpleasant odors. Just as importantly, baking soda is a superior alternative to bleach, which can kill off the beneficial bacteria in your septic tank and make a breakdown more likely.
Cleaning your toilet, and the entire bathroom, with a solution of ¼ cup of baking soda to ½ cup of vinegar can protect your septic system from damage and keep it running like new. This homemade cleaning solution is far less expensive, and just as effective, as the bleach-based cleaners that could damage your home septic tank, so there is no reason not to harness the power of baking soda.
