Winter HouseParties: Is Your Home Ready? (NAPSA)—“Over the meadow and through the woods”...Many of us go visiting relatives and other loved ones once winter weather arrives, to share in seasonal fun— holiday parties, sledding, skiing and ice-skating. Making your home a cozy sanctuary for guests this winter involves some advance preparation like decorating the guest room, stocking up on plenty of yummy foods and beverages, cleaning the chimney, stockpiling the wood you'll need for a cheery fire and making sure your septic system can stand up to the added strain caused by having extra people in the house. Even a few guests often means more mopping, more dishwashing and more laundry, along with extra use of sinks, showers and toilets. With more cleaning comes the added use of chemicals, particularly bleach, that can find their way downthe drain into your septic system, disrupting its delicate eco-balance and reducing the septic tank’s operating efficiency. The result can be a true— “Nightmare Before (or After) Christmas”: a smelly, embarrassing and costly septic system backup. Your backyard can suddenly resemble a stinky swamp and your basement can befilled with an inch of dirty water. The smell of a severe overflow not only permeates the home, but could spread to neighboring homes. Prevention is the best method to ensure that you don’t experience such an awful event, experts say. They recommend using a septic system additive such as Rid-X once a month. Unlike other additives, Rid-X does not contain artificial chemicals that could damage the plumbing and the environment. “Septic tanks collect waste water coming from sinks, showers, toilets and sometimes from appliances,” explains biologist Ed Cooney. “Bacteria present in the tanks decompose the organic : eS a Keep your home cozy and comfortable for winter weather entertaining—don’t neglect your septic system. waste and help clear the water before it exits to the drain field.” A scientifically formulated additive with 100 percent natural active ingredients, such as Rid-X, ensures that the septic tank is always populated with the best combination of bacteria and enzymes to keep it working at the top of its form. Someothertips to help keep your septic system operating safely throughout the winter months: Have your septic system checked regularly, at least every three to five years, and pumped when necessary by a licensed professional. Avoid pouring straight bleach, leftover paints and concentrated cleaners down the drain whencleaning up. Throw garbage in bags versus the garbage disposal to help minimize solid waste buildup in the septic tank. * Use the water-saving function on your dishwasher and washing machine; and make sure your toilet has a water-efficient design. Keep your home cozy and comfortable for winter weather entertaining—don’t neglect your septic system.
