A sewer backup is one of the most unpleasant occurrences a household must deal with. Rural homeowners with a private wastewater treatment system can prevent this with a few strategies. Most of these homes have a septic system that sends liquid from a tank to a drain field. It holds solids in the container until that material and the remaining liquid are pumped out by professional technicians.

Scheduling septic tank cleaning as recommended is one effective way to prevent backups. The tank must be pumped more often if people flush things down the toilet besides organic waste and toilet paper.

Examples

Feminine Hygiene Products

Feminine hygiene products are some of the most commonly flushed objects and are common culprits in septic system backups. People tend to forget that these items expand when wet since the intention is to thoroughly absorb liquid. They accumulate in the tank and do not break down quickly, if at all. 

Hair

Smaller things that people flush also can cause problems. Hair from the shower strainer and loose hair from combing are examples. This material takes years to decompose. It could tangle up on tiny tree roots in the system. Those roots can invade weak areas in the pipe leading from the home to the tank and from the tank to the drain field. 

Dental Floss

The same is true for dental floss. The strings can gradually become as big as a golf ball, or even larger, as they continually wrap around roots growing into the pipe. The blockage eventually prevents even organic waste and toilet paper from flowing smoothly into the tank. 

Placing Wastebaskets

All bathrooms should have wastebaskets so that everyone remembers to avoid putting various items in toilets. Parents must impress the importance of this on their children as well. Kids should be encouraged to admit accidentally dropping something like a toothbrush into the toilet, instead of flushing to eliminate the evidence.

Guests should be advised of the house rules as well. If discussing this delicate topic feels uncomfortable, a friendly note could be posted in the bathroom requesting courteous behavior. Everyone will appreciate having small paper or opaque plastic bags available so they can be discreet.

Preventing the Need for Emergency Service

Septic tank cleaning technicians respond promptly to requests for emergency service when systems back up. However, it's certainly preferable to prevent this disturbing occurrence. Pumping and inspection ideally are performed as recommended, not on an emergency basis after sewage has backed through the pipe and into the home.