The holiday season is a time of gathering friends and families together under one roof with joy and love. If that roof is yours, you may end up inadvertently putting an unhealthy amount of strain on your septic system. Preparing early and knowing what to do when the extra bedrooms are full will prevent any unpleasant emergencies. Here are a few tips to safely manage the extra water use and waste disposal that come along with hosting loved ones over the holidays.

How to Avoid Septic System Overload This Holiday Season

1. Pump the Tank

If it's been more than two years since you had your septic tank pumped, hosting the holidays could cause solids to build up in the tank to the point that a clog will enter the pipe leading to your drain field. As a result, wastewater can suddenly back up into your home, putting a damper on your celebrations. Tank pumping is recommended before any extended holiday guests arrive to avoid this embarrassing scenario.

2. Spread Out Water Usage

When sharing your home with multiple guests, your household's water usage will increase drastically. Each person who needs to shower, brush their teeth, drink water, and use clean dishes and laundry adds more strain to your septic system. 

A schedule can be helpful, so try to avoid separate water-based activities as much as possible to avoid flooding the tank. For instance, run the dishwasher at night while everyone sleeps and plan for a few showers in the mornings and a few in the evenings.

3. Set Bathroom Boundaries

One of the most common causes of septic backups is the flushing of materials that are not biodegradable down the toilet. This includes paper towels, facial tissue, feminine hygiene products, and "flushable" wipes. 

When your septic tank is being used more than usual, it is even more likely to become clogged by these items. Make it clear to your guests how important it is that only toilet paper is flushed.

4. Skip the Garbage Disposal

If you have a septic system, your garbage disposal should be used sparingly since food waste adds to the solids in your tank and leads to more frequent pumping becoming necessary. When you're hosting guests, your tank is already collecting more solid waste. Therefore, you may wish to direct all food waste to the trash can during holiday cooking rather than risk a clog and a septic backup.

If you're planning for extended holiday guests this year and need your septic tank pumped or inspected, turn to Martin's Septic Service. These septic tank and drain field experts have been dedicated to keeping their clients' water and waste systems running smoothly for over 15 years in the Eatonton, Gray, Lake Oconee, and Lake Sinclair, GA, communities. Visit their website to learn more about their services or call (478) 452-8272 for a free estimate.