No wipe of any kind is septic safe, even flushable wipes. They can destroy a septic system in as few as three years of regular use. Heavy, multi-ply toilet paper accounts for 80% of backups; consequently, it is best to use single-ply or thin, 2-ply toilet paper. Use the right methods of disposal.
- You should never put anything into your septic tank that could harm it. This includes coffee grounds, meat scraps, grease, oils, fats, hair, soap, detergents, and many other items. Anything that comes into contact with the soil in your septic tank can potentially contaminate it.
What Cannot be flushed down a septic tank?
Don’t Put Anything Non-Biodegradable in Your Septic System Disposable diapers. Paper towels. Plastics. Sanitary napkins or tampons.
What should you avoid with a septic tank?
Do not put cigarette butts, paper towels, sanitary tampons, condoms, disposable diapers, anything plastic or similar non-biodegradables into a septic tank system. Avoid washing food scraps, coffee grinds, and other food items down the drain.
What will ruin a septic system?
Any paper products like tissues, paper towels, tampons, or sanitary products, even some heavier toilet paper, will clog your system if you flush enough of it. Wet wipes are another product that you should never flush into a septic system.
What can you put in a septic tank?
Biological Additives. Biological additives, like bacteria and extracellular enzymes, are the only acceptable septic tank treatment for promoting a healthy, natural bacterial ecosystem, maintaining an effective drain field, and protecting the health of the local groundwater.
Does hair break down in a septic tank?
Why Hair is a Such a Problem It’s composed of tough strands of proteins similar to those in your fingernails, and it’s not easily broken down by bacteria. Even if it doesn’t for years in your septic tank, it’ll almost certainly last for longer than the 24-48 hours that it sits in your septic tank.
Can you pour milk into septic tank?
If not the trash. A man who has a septic tank service told us to buy a gallon of whole milk and let it go bad a few days and flush it into the septic tank to feed the bacteria. He said to do this about once a month.
What happens to poop in a septic tank?
The inlet pipe collects the water waste in the septic tank, long enough that the solid and liquid waste is separated from each other. Inside the tank bacteria from the wastewater breaks down the solid waste. These bacteria decompose the solid waste rapidly allowing the liquids to separate and drain away more easily.
Can I use bleach if I have a septic tank?
You might consider bleach to be a great cleaner to use for your septic system. Unfortunately, that mindset is a dangerous one to have because it’s usually recommended to avoid using bleach in your septic system. The chemicals within bleach can kill the bacteria that your septic tank relies on.
Is Dawn dish soap safe for septic systems?
One of the best know is commercials for Dawn dish soap. The ability for the cleaner to disperse oil and grease is better for cleaning, as it helps to break it up. The reason these are bad for septic systems is because if you use too much they can leach out into the environment without being properly treated.
How do you know if your septic is full?
Here are some of the most common warning signs that you have a full septic tank:
- Your Drains Are Taking Forever.
- Standing Water Over Your Septic Tank.
- Bad Smells Coming From Your Yard.
- You Hear Gurgling Water.
- You Have A Sewage Backup.
- How often should you empty your septic tank?
Can you flush food down the toilet if you have a septic system?
Food scraps will clog your septic system. It doesn’t matter whether you’re putting vegan sausage and kale or leftover bacon grease and Funyuns down your garbage disposal. “Putting any kind of food into a septic tank can lead to buildup in your pipes,” Monell says.
Can toilet paper clog a septic tank?
You may wonder the effects that flushing heaps of paper down the toilet can have on your septic system. And oftentimes your family members may flush things down the toilet that shouldn’t be flushed, like paper towels or certain other products that can clog up your tank. Toilet paper is always septic safe.
Can I shower if my septic tank is full?
Only the water would get out into the leach field in a proper system unless you run too much water too fast. The thing to do is to run your shower water outside into it’s own drain area, but it may not be allowed where you are. Used to be called gray water system.
Is Pinesol septic safe?
A: Yes! Following the recommended use of any Pine-Sol® product will not harm your septic system.
Are bidets good for septic tanks?
Bidets are much more beneficial for your septic system than a traditional toilet. Having a bidet in your bathroom may increase the life of the system’s current pipes and septic tank.
How to Safely Dispose of a Septic Tank
Have you ever found yourself in the position of having to dispose of a septic tank? Possibly, you want to connect your plumbing to the city’s main sewer system. You may have recently purchased a property that has an old, unused septic tank that has to be removed and disposed of. Whatever the situation, it is critical to properly dispose of the old septic tank in order to avoid property damage, injuries, and even death.
Why is it important to safely remove a septic tank?
- A septic tank that has been abandoned might constitute a threat to persons and animals who are in the vicinity. Older sewage tanks may not be recorded, even though septic tanks installed nowadays are routinely documented. For this reason, if you are the new owner of an older property, you should consult with an expert to determine whether any tanks have been left on the property. Septic tanks degrade with time, and they can become a source of possible cave-ins when the materials used in their construction decay. Its construction is generally made of steel or concrete, and the contents of the tank might be poisonous, making it a potentially hazardous situation. Children who are curious about the septic tank may come upon a cover that has been wrongly closed and fall into it. It will be a selling feature for those who may later be interested in purchasing the property if the old septic tank is properly disposed of.
Permits or Inspections
Be careful to check with your local authorities about any permissions or inspections that may be required before beginning the removal procedure. They may also have particular regulations for how your tank should be disposed of or what material should be utilized to replace your tank. Because septic tanks are underground and “out of sight, out of mind,” some communities take the time to map out where they are in case they need to be found again.
Disposing of your septic tank
You will need to have your septic tank emptied of of its contents prior to the actual removal of the tank. To securely dispose of the contents of your septic tank, contact a professional septic tank business. Keep in mind that septic tank waste is extremely hazardous, and you should avoid attempting to remove it yourself. Immediately following the pumping of the tank, it will need to be evacuated in such a way that it does not create a huge hole that might cause the tank to collapse. The material of the tank, as well as the planned usage of the ground above the tank, are factors in determining where the tank should be disposed of.
- Steel tanks are typically crushed and the resulting hole is filled with a filler material such as earth or gravel.
- Following that, the tanks are filled with soil and gravel.
- Inspect the earth under the surface to make sure there are no air pockets left that might cause the ground to sink.
- As soon as you realize you need to dispose of a septic tank, call an experienced business that will guide you through the procedure step-by-step.
Aeration Septic – The Top Five Items to Keep Out of Your Septic System
Despite the fact that there are several alternative ways to dispose of trash within the home, some people just opt to use their toilet or garbage disposal for materials that do not belong in these pieces of equipment – which may put their septic system at risk. There are certain things that a toilet is supposed to handle and rid of, such as body waste, particular paper products, and the occasional spider that gets tangled in toilet paper, but there are other items that people flush that can cause far more harm than good.
You might believe that “if it flushes, it’s alright,” but this isn’t always the case, even when it comes to goods that are advertised as safe to flush as a form of disposal.
What is a septic system?
In spite of the fact that there are several alternative options for disposing of trash within the home, some individuals just prefer to use their toilet or garbage disposal for materials that do not belong in these pieces of equipment, which may endanger the septic system. There are certain things that a toilet is supposed to handle and rid of, such as body waste, particular paper products, and the occasional spider that gets tangled in toilet paper, but there are other items that people flush that can cause considerably more harm than good.
However, even when goods are promoted as being safe to flush as a form of disposal, this isn’t always the truth, as evidenced by the fact that many things aren’t.
This is true for a variety of reasons, including the fact that it’s easier to remember.
Here’s a list of the top five things you should avoid introducing into your home’s septic system:
- Coffee grounds: While coffee grounds are not flushed, they frequently make their way into a garbage disposal and, ultimately, into the septic tank. Because of their texture, bacteria have a tough time breaking them down, which can put your septic system in risk over time as they accumulate. One excellent comparison is to think of these grounds as if they were gravel, despite the fact that they are far smaller. In the long run, the number of coffee grounds that do not decompose will contribute to an increase in the amount of solids (or sludge) present in the system, which might cause it to malfunction. Strong disinfectants, such as bleach: Because a properly functioning septic system relies on beneficial bacteria to break down waste, introducing these sorts of chemicals into the system in excessive quantities can be detrimental to the system. The weekly cleanings and the introduction of these chemicals into the toilet bowl insert in tiny amounts per flush are both perfectly acceptable practices
- Nevertheless, the use of excessive amounts is not encouraged. A decrease in the quantity of bacteria present in the holding and treatment tanks, which is a “living system,” might lead to an increase in the amount of solid waste accumulating in the system, which may necessitate more regular visits from a septic services specialist. Contrary to popular belief, condoms, disposable diapers, flushable wipes, and tampons are not as safe to flush as you may assume. Due to the fact that rubber does not degrade within the system, flushing condoms may put a septic system at risk of failure. Although the materials that are used to manufacture disposable diapers and tampons are termed biodegradable, this does not imply that they are beneficial to the general health of the system. However, while they will ultimately fail within the system, it may take a long time for them to do so, resulting in these objects remaining in the system for extended periods of time and causing further problems. Is it one of these other problems? These huge things have the potential to block pipes or become caught around the motor of a septic system, leading it to fail. A septic motor is a high-priced device that will normally cost upwards of $600 to repair or replace. Is taking this chance worth it? Grease and oil derived from the cooking process: Despite the fact that it may appear simple to simply drop these items down the drain while cleaning pots and pans, they may cause more harm than good. Although some oil and grease can unavoidably enter a septic system, an excessive amount of this will undoubtedly cause difficulties over time, especially in older homes with older septic systems. What is the explanation behind this? Over time, these materials have a tendency to harden and solidify, making it more difficult to break them down. The particles may also become attached to the sides of the pipes and walls of the septic tank, as well as to the moving mechanisms within it, causing backups, blockages, and overflow – or even a breakdown of the aerator or any other affected sections. Medications: Additionally, drugs have the potential to kill the bacteria that must be present in a septic system when they are flushed, and in some cases, they do so. This does not just apply to unused tablets
- Liquid drugs should never be flushed down the toilet too. Many of these prescriptions contain high amounts of antibiotics, and when these pills are flushed down the toilet, the chemicals in these medications will disrupt the delicate balance that must exist in the tank. Another item to take into consideration? If there is a problem with your septic tank – such as an undiscovered leak – these chemicals will be released into the environment as well, and this is harmful.
There are methods for disposing of all of these things that are not limited to the sink or toilet, and homeowners should consider taking advantage of these possibilities. Even if it means that garbage bags will fill up fast or that an empty jar will be required to collect grease, making these decisions will save you time, concern, and most likely a significant amount of money in the long run. Septic system maintenance is neither difficult nor prohibitively costly as long as you follow the instructions of septic service specialists.
For those who have not complied with suggestions and may have introduced items such as these into their system?
Don’t be scared to ask about the many septic system treatment alternatives accessible to folks who need to reintroduce healthy bacteria into their systems while also eliminating some of the known concerns.
Things You Should Never Put in a Septic Tank
- What is the significance of maintaining a healthy septic tank
- And What Goes Into Your Septic Tank
- Septic Tank Do’s and Don’ts
- How Do Things Get Into Your Septic Tank
- What Cleaning Products Can Be Used in the Home That Are Septic Safe
- How to Dispose of Garbage for a Healthy Septic Tank
- How to Use the Toilet for a Healthy Septic Tank
- How to Tell If Your Septic Tank Is Full
- The Importance of Keeping Your Septic System in Good Working Order
If your septic system is properly maintained, it should provide you with no problems; nevertheless, you must be extremely cautious about what you put down your drains. Knowing what should and should not be flushed down your septic tank will help you avoid costly septic tank problems in the future. This is also true for your waste disposal system. To provide an example, a frequently asked topic about the waste disposal is whether coffee grounds are harmful to septic systems or not.
Is it harmful to a septic system to use coffee grounds? Individuals frequently have inquiries about septic tanks and coffee grounds. In general, the most often asked questions by homeowners are: What should I put in my septic tank and what should I not put in my septic tank?
Why Is It Important to Maintain a Healthy Septic Tank?
Your septic system is an extremely important component of your property. While it frequently goes unseen, it is operating around the clock to dispose of the garbage generated by your household. The fact that many homeowners do not notice their septic tank on a regular basis leads to a high rate of failure or forgetting to schedule basic septic tank repair. The failure to maintain your septic system can result in a variety of problems, including:
- Leach fields and septic tanks that are overflowing or oozing
- A disagreeable sewage odor
- Overflowing toilets leading in the accumulation of harmful waste in your home
Maintenance of your septic tank on a regular basis is necessary for a variety of reasons, including the following:
1. Property Value
When it comes time to sell your land and house, a septic tank inspection may reveal problems that indicate your system hasn’t been properly maintained for a long period of time. This might result in you losing out on a possible sale.
2. Good Health
Proper septic tank maintenance can result in serious health consequences if wastewater that has not been correctly treated is allowed to leak into your well, yard, and nearby surface water. If your septic tank has been ignored for an extended period of time, backwash may run into your home, introducing bacteria into your home.
3. Protects the Environment
On a daily basis, wastewater is disseminated below the surface of the earth in an amount of over 4 billion gallons. Groundwater contamination can occur as a result of untreated or inadequately treated domestic wastewater, and this can be harmful to the ecosystem. A faulty septic system may cause the release of viruses, bacteria, and hazardous chemicals into local waterways, as well as into the ground, streams, lakes, and rivers, among other places, causing devastation to local ecosystems and the death of species.
4. Financial Savings
Routine cleanings of your septic tank are less expensive than replacing it. You may have your tank inspected by a service professional to verify that it has been properly cleaned and to check for indicators of structural deterioration such as leaks, cracks, and other issues. Make Contact With A Septic Expert
How Do Things Get Into Your Septic Tank?
Septic systems remove floatable debris such as fats and oils from solids and digest organic stuff in the wastewater they process. In a soil-based system, the liquid waste from your septic tank is discharged into different perforated pipes that are buried in chambers, a leach field, or other particular components that are designed to gently release the effluent into the ground. The following are examples of how objects can get into your septic tank:
- Waste such as diapers, cigarette butts, and coffee grounds that degrade slowly or are not entirely flushed down drains
- Lint from synthetic fibers is emitted by washing machines. There are no bacteria in the drain and tank septic field to break it down
- Therefore, it is not broken down. When garbage disposers are used often, they might discharge an excessive amount of solid waste into your septic system. It is possible for shrubs and tree roots to obstruct and cause harm to a drain field
Septic Tank Do’s and Don’ts
What you put in your septic tank will have a significant impact on its capacity to perform its function. Coffee grounds, for example, are not compatible with septic systems. It is possible to save yourself a lot of headaches and money by educating everyone in your home about what is and isn’t acceptable for your septic tank. You can also extend the life of your septic system and protect the health of your property, family, and the environment by educating everyone in your home.
Things You Should Never Put In Your Septic Tank
You should never put the following items in your septic tank, and you should avoid the following items in your septic tank as well.
1. Do Enlarge Your Septic System If Needed
In the event that you intend on adding an addition to your house that will increase the floor area of your home by more than 15%, increase the number of plumbing fixtures, or increase the number of bedrooms, you may need to consider expanding your septic system to accommodate the increase in space.
2. Don’t Put Hazardous Waste Into the System
Do not, under any circumstances, introduce harmful chemicals into the system. Never dump paint, paint thinners, gasoline, or motor oil down the toilet or into the septic tank. A septic tank receives what is known as the “kiss of death.”
3. Do Limit the Number of Solids
A large amount of solids flushed down the toilet will cause your septic tank to fill up extremely quickly. You should not flush the following objects down the toilet:
- Cat litter, coffee grounds, cigarette butts, dental floss, disposable diapers, earplugs, sanitary napkins or tampons are all acceptable substitutes for these items.
Cat litter, coffee grounds, cigarette butts, dental floss, disposable diapers, earplugs, sanitary napkins or tampons are all acceptable substitutes for human waste.
4. Don’t Put Anything Non-Biodegradable in Your Septic System
Don’t put materials into your septic tank system that aren’t biodegradable, such as the following:
- However, cigarette butts, disposable diapers, paper towels, plastics, sanitary napkins or tampons are prohibited.
5. Do Install an Effluent Filter
Make certain that an effluent filter is installed on your septic tank. This will assist to reduce the amount of particles that exit the tank and will extend the life of your system.
6. Don’t Put Grease or Fat Into the System
Make certain that an effluent filter is installed on your septic tank. This will assist to reduce the amount of particles that exit the tank and will extend the lifespan of your system.
7. Do Run Full Dishwasher and Washing Machine Loads
Dishwashers and washing machines should only be used when they are completely loaded. Alternatively, select the appropriate load size for your washing machine. It is inefficient to wash tiny loads of clothing with huge amounts of water since it wastes both electricity and water.
8. Don’t Put Any Chemicals Into Your System
Don’t flush chemicals down the toilet, such as the following:
- Keep substances like the following away from your drain:
If you have one of these, it has the potential to pollute your septic tank, endangering the water supply for your entire area. Make a Time for Consultation
What Household Cleaning Products Are Septic Safe
Another important piece of septic tank advice is to be cautious when selecting the cleansers and chemicals that you use around your house or business. Your septic tank’s ability to operate correctly is dependent on the presence of ‘friendly’ bacteria. The problem is that many disinfectants, bleaches, and household cleansers are especially formulated to kill bacteria. Use organic and biodegradable home items wherever feasible to reduce the likelihood of septic tank issues. If you use drain cleaners, never let them enter the system since even a tiny amount of these harsh chemicals may wreak havoc on the microorganisms in the system and create septic tank issues.
There are a variety of opinions on this subject.
Many people believe that running Epsom salt through their septic tanks will help to break down waste.
To observe the acidic advantages of Epsom salt, you’d have to flush a significant amount of it into your tank. The following are examples of household cleaning solutions that are safe for septic systems:
1. Safest Bathroom and Toilet Cleaners
Your bathroom may retain a lot of germs, so it’s important to clean it on a regular basis. However, you will require septic-safe cleansers such as:
- Every day cleaning is required in your bathroom since it may retain a lot of bacteria. Septic-safe cleansers, such as the following, are required, however.
It is not recommended to use crystal drain cleaners to unclog plumbing blockages in your toilet or sink since they might be hazardous to your septic system.
2. Safest Floor Cleaners
The following are examples of safe floor cleaners:
- BISSELL Advanced Professional SpotStain + Oxy
- ECOS PRO Neutral Floor Cleaner Concentrated 1:128
- BISSELL Pet Stain and Odor
- BISSELL Advanced Professional SpotStain + Oxy
3. Safest Dishwashing Detergents
Regardless of whether you’re using the dishwasher or cleaning your dishes by hand, the following are some safe options:
- The following are some safe alternatives, regardless of whether you’re using a dishwasher or cleaning your dishes by hand.
4. Safest Kitchen, All-Purpose and Glass Cleaners
Whether you’re using the dishwasher or cleaning your dishes by hand, these are some safe choices:
- Whether you’re using the dishwasher or cleaning your dishes by hand, the following are some safe choices:
5. Safest Odor Removers
Regardless of whether you’re using the dishwasher or cleaning your dishes by hand, the following are some safe options:
- The following are some safe alternatives, regardless of whether you’re using a dishwasher or cleaning your dishes by hand.
Garbage Disposal Tips for a Healthy Septic Tank
Many people are unaware of this vital piece of septic tank knowledge, but you should avoid using your garbage disposal more than necessary. If you absolutely must have a trash disposal, choose for a top-of-the-line type that grinds waste finely, as this will aid in the decomposition of waste materials and the prevention of septic tank problems by reducing the amount of time waste takes to disintegrate. You may also set up a kitchen waste compost bin so that you don’t have to throw potentially hazardous products into your garbage disposal system.
1. Don’t Pour Coffee Grounds Down Your Drain
Many people are unaware of this vital piece of septic tank knowledge, but you should avoid using your garbage disposal more than is necessary at any one time. A trash disposal is not always necessary, but if you do have to have one, make sure it is a top-of-the-line type that grinds waste finely. This will aid in the decomposition of materials and the prevention of septic tank issues. You may also set up a kitchen waste compost bin so that you don’t have to send potentially dangerous stuff down the garbage disposal.
2. Only Dispose of Rotted Soft or Unconsumed Perishables Into Your Garbage Disposal
Bananas, tomatoes, and oranges that are over a year old are OK. However, avoid using your trash disposal for anything that might cause sludge to build up along the inner walls of your sewage pipes or clog a drain.
3. Consider an Alternative to Your Garbage Disposal
Consider making a compost pile in your backyard out of your outdated vegetables as an alternative to throwing it away. Rather from ending up in your septic tank or landfill, decomposing vegetables and fruits may nourish and feed the soil, accomplishing a more beneficial function than they would if they ended up in a landfill.
Toilet Tips for a Healthy Septic Tank
In addition to following the above-mentioned garage disposal recommendations, you should also consider the following toilet recommendations to keep your septic tank in the best possible condition.
- Decrease the number of times you flush the toilet. Using the toilet numerous times before flushing is recommended. Make use of toilet paper that is designed for use with a septic tank. When it comes to toilet paper, the type that breaks up easily when wet is the best choice. It is not recommended to use a disinfecting automated toilet bowl cleanser, such as those containing acid compounds or bleach. Using these products, you may destroy the bacteria in your septic tank that is important for a productive operating system with a gradual release, ongoing action. Tampons should not be flushed into the toilet. Tampons in a septic system is an issue that many individuals have and are perplexed by the answer to. This is due to the fact that there are now tampons available that are so-called bio-degradable and can be flushed down the toilet. Tampons, on the other hand, are among the items that should not be flushed down the toilet or into a septic tank. If you want to be on the safe side, never dump tampons down the toilet
- This is the greatest rule of thumb here.
How to Tell If Your Septic Tank Is Full
When properly maintained, your septic tank is an efficient means of disposing of the wastewater generated by your household. Septic systems must be pumped out on a regular basis in order to work effectively. Many people are unsure as to when this type of action is required in their situation. The following are some indications that it is time to pump your septic tank:
1. Pooling Water
If you notice huge pools of water near your septic system’s drain field, this might signal that the system has overflowed, especially if it hasn’t rained recently.
When your tank reaches capacity, the solid waste in the tank might block the drain field of the field pipe system, causing liquid to rise to the surface. If you see this, your tank will need to be properly pumped out.
In addition to garbage, your septic tank collects gray water from sources such as the following: The odor-causing gasses that can emanate from your drains, toilets, drain field, and outside septic tank area can begin to emanate as the septic tank begins to fill up. If you begin to notice unusual scents outside or inside your house, it is possible that your septic tank is overflowing and has to be drained.
3. Sewage Backup
It is possible to have nasty sewage backup in your toilets, sinks, and bathtub if you have a clogged sewage tank. The sewage can overflow and flood your floors, rendering your home uninhabitable and hazardous if you allow the situation to continue to spiral out of control.
4. Slow Drains
If you discover that your home’s drains and toilet flushes are still slow after you’ve tried to clear them, it’s possible that you have a clogged septic system.
5. Gurgling Water
Another symptom that your septic tank is overflowing is gurgling sounds pipes coming from your drains or toilet bowl. This is something that you would definitely want an expert to come in and check.
6. Lush Lawn
If your grass looks unusually lush or green, especially near the drainage field, it might be an indication that you have a clogged septic tank that needs to be drained.
7. Trouble Flushing
An further sign that your septic tank needs to be cleaned is if you’re experiencing difficulties flushing your toilet or if the water you’re trying to flush is not being absorbed by the toilet.
Maintaining a Healthy Septic System Is Important
The plumbing and septic systems in your house play an important part in the overall comfort of your home. It is critical that you pay some consideration to these issues and that your septic tank is kept in good working order. The proper upkeep of your septic tank is essential if you want the plumbing in your house to function properly. Unattended septic systems may result in serious obstructions, backups, and even wastewater pouring into the surrounding area. You’ll want to engage in regular septic system maintenance in order to avoid these kinds of problems.
Contact Mr. Rooter of Syracuse, N.Y., Your Septic System Professionals
Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Syracuse, New York, is comprised of a group of qualified specialists that are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to attend to your septic tank problems. Septic tanks are something that our skilled team at Mr. Rooter has a lot of experience with. Once we’ve been in and completed the cleaning, maintenance, or repairs to your septic system, we’ll provide you instructions on how to keep up with the best upkeep of your system when we’re not there to help you. It is critical to understand the principles of your home’s septic tank and how it operates in order to recognize problems as they occur.
In addition to video drainage inspections, we have sophisticated diagnostic equipment that allow us to discover and correct issues before they become expensive repairs. Please contact us right away if you require assistance with your septic tank issues. Request an Estimate for the Job
Avoid Putting These Items Into Your Septic System
Residents of residential properties with septic systems must exercise caution while flushing toilet paper or other toilet paper down the toilet. Eventually, anything you flush down the toilet or down the drain will wind up in the septic tank, and not everything will be suited for the tank. Here are some objects that should never be dumped into your septic system, as well as instructions on how to properly dispose of them. Products for Feminine Hygiene Place the trash in the garbage can. A septic tank is safe to flush down with toilet paper that has been intended to decompose fast in a septic tank; nevertheless, this is about the only paper product that should be flushed down a toilet that is connected to a septic system.
- Tampons and some wet wipes are appropriate for municipal water systems and will flow through pipes, but they will cause difficulties in a septic tank because they contain chemicals that are toxic to bacteria.
- Using more of these goods, the available capacity in your tank will decline until you are forced to have your tank pumped out completely.
- The number of times you’ll need a service depends on how many individuals are flushing these things, but even if only one person is flushing these items, your tank’s service period will be reduced.
- If people are uncomfortable with the idea of seeing items in the garbage when they use the restroom, you may purchase a tiny covered trash bin for the room that keeps its contents hidden from view.
- Coffee grounds are a type of soil that is rich in nutrients.
- For two reasons, coffee grinds should never be allowed to enter your septic tank.
- When this occurs, the entire system stops to function as it is intended to do.
The bacteria survive best in a pH range between 6.5 and 7.5, with a preference for pH values between 6.5 and 7.
This is more acidic than the microorganisms in a tank are capable of withstanding.
Although the liquid in the tank will not be transformed into anything like a cup of coffee, the chemicals that drain from the grounds will acidify the tank in the same way that tap water does when coffee is brewed in a coffee pot.
If you flush coffee grounds down the toilet on a daily basis, they will build and make the tank too acidic for the bacteria to survive.
Useless coffee grounds are best disposed of in a compost pile, which you can simply create if you don’t already have one.
To compost coffee grounds if you don’t already do so, simply toss them in a heap and they’ll begin to decompose on their own as nature takes its course.
Ticks, which may transmit a variety of deadly diseases, should not be flushed down the toilet or into a septic tank – but not because it is harmful to the tank.
Ticks do not drown while submerged in water, therefore flushing them down your home’s plumbing and into your septic tank will not result in their death.
If the creature resurfaces after a period of time, it will still be alive and will be able to reproduce, make its way to your yard, and attack animals or people once more.
Ticks are poisonous to alcohol and will die if they come into contact with it, therefore most people have a bottle of rubbing alcohol in their home.
Even with the finest maintenance, a septic system will require service from time to time. Contact Walters Environmental Services if you need to have your septic tank pumped out.
What You Can And Can’t Add To Your Septic System
Toilets make it simple to flush and then forget about it. However, flushing nearly anything other than toilet paper down a toilet can cause difficulties in any bathroom, and especially in septic systems, if done repeatedly. There are a variety of home things that should never be flushed. Don’t flush cleaning products down the toilet. Among the most often encountered goods that might trigger septic system failure are cleaning chemicals. Because your septic system relies on anaerobic bacteria to work correctly, cleaning agents will almost always cause your septic system to fail because they are designed to kill bacteria in general.
Don’t let these common household products come into contact with your septic tank.
- Toys, garbage, diapers, sanitary napkins, kitty litter, dryer sheets, coffee grounds, dirt, motor oil, and drugs are all acceptable.
Items such as toys, garbage, diapers, sanitary napkins, cat litter, dryer sheets, coffee grounds, dirt, motor oil, and prescription medications can be found here.
- Cooking oil, washing machine lint, tampons, alcohol, laundry detergent, and hair are all examples of substances that can be found in the environment.
Put your cooking oil in a jar instead of down the drain and set it aside to cool. It is OK to throw away the jar once it has hardened. If you have to get rid of alcohol, don’t flush more than two bottles down the toilet in a single week! Everything else may simply be thrown away in the trash pail. Make use of products that are intended for septic systems. Goods that are particularly made for a septic system, such as toilet paper meant for septic systems, are the greatest items to flush down the drain.
- The use of regular toilet paper should not pose an issue for your septic tank, however septic-friendly toilet paper is recommended as an extra precaution.
- Before adding any additives, you must be certain of what is included within the additive.
- It is recommended that you get an addition from your local septic pumper rather than from a shop.
- Understand when it is necessary to pump your septic tank.
- When your septic tank is broken, the cost of the repairs will be significantly higher.
- The frequency with which you should pump your septic tank is determined by the size of your tank as well as the number of people that live in your home.
- You will eventually need to have your septic tank pumped out.
Inquire with Walters Environmental Services if you need to have your septic system pumped, cleaned, repaired, or excavated at any time. It is necessary to pump your tank at least once every two years, even if you solely dispose of appropriate goods.
Household Products That Will Ruin Your Septic Tank!
Many people who have septic tanks are unaware of what they may and cannot flush down their toilets or down their sinks. It may come as a surprise to find just how delicate septic tanks are, and how many common household goods can cause harm to and/or block your septic tank if you don’t know what you’re doing. By keeping these things out from your drains, you can maintain your septic tank in good shape and avoid costly septic repairs down the road. Chemical Cleaners are a type of cleaning agent that uses chemicals to remove dirt and grime.
- You may disturb the bacteria cycle in your septic tank by pouring anti-bacterial cleansers like bleach down your drains and down your toilets.
- Additives Several septic tank additives make the promise that they will enhance the amount of bacteria in your septic system.
- The Environmental Protection Agency and the American Ground Water Trust, on the other hand, warn that chemical additions may cause more harm than good to your tank.
- Using Bath Oils Oil floats to the top of your septic tank, where it congeals and hardens to produce a layer of scum on the surface.
- It has the ability to withstand bacterial activity and embed in the solid waste layer.
- Grease from the kitchen Grease of any kind contributes to the buildup of scum in your septic tank.
- Unless otherwise instructed, you should avoid dumping oil down your sinks.
In addition, dryer papers might jam the entrance baffle.
Over time, the clay will clog your pipes and cause your septic tank to fail completely.
Products Made of Latex The majority of latex-based products are not biodegradable.
If the outlet tee is missing, the latex may clog the drain field on its way out of your septic tank, causing it to back up and choke the tank.
Paints and oils are two types of media.
In order to maintain your soil and groundwater free of diseases, you must have this bacterium on hand.
Prescription medications and chemotherapy medications Even after passing through a patient’s digestive system, powerful medications may still retain active ingredients that are harmful to them.
If possible, avoid allowing drug-contaminated faeces to enter your home’s septic tank.
Some prescription medications have the potential to be harmful to the environment.
Chemicals for Automatic Toilet Cleaning Systems Automatic toilet cleaners release an excessive amount of anti-bacterial chemicals into your septic tank, causing it to overflow.
Instead, choose toilet cleansers that are suitable for septic systems.
Even minute amounts of string, on the other hand, can clog and ruin pump impellers.
In a period of time, it will encircle a pump and cause harm to your septic tank’s mechanical components.
Your tank is only capable of holding a specific amount of domestic water; it cannot accommodate big volumes of water from a pool or roof drain.
Don’t use your sinks or toilets as garbage cans; this is against the law.
Put your trash in the garbage to prevent having to pay extra in pump-out fees.
Young children, on the other hand, may be unable to comprehend how toilets function.
Rather than degrading, the clothing are likely to block your septic tank.
Butts for Cigarettes Cigarette filters have the potential to choke the tank.
For a comprehensive list of potentially dangerous goods, consult your septic tank owner’s handbook or consult with a specialist.
If possible, avoid flushing non-biodegradable goods down the toilet or down the drain. You will save money on costly repairs and you will extend the life of your tank by taking these precautions.
Top 10 Items To Avoid Putting In Your Septic System
Submitted byRobert Robillard on Home Repairs, Plumbing, and Electrical
Caring for Your Septic System
If you have a septic system in your home, you must exercise extreme caution when it comes to the household goods that you use. Septic systems rely on bacteria to break down wastes and sediments, but in order for these bacteria to live, they must be in a certain environment. If you use the incorrect type of detergent in your washing machine or the incorrect drain cleaner, you may wind up destroying the microorganisms in your septic system, leaving it inoperable. Overflows, obstructions, flooded drain fields, and even groundwater pollution can result as a result of this.
When you have unused prescriptions on hand, it might be tempting to flush them down the toilet to eliminate them. DON’T. Pharmaceuticals have the potential to disrupt the bacterial equilibrium in your septic system, resulting in septic system failure. They also contribute to the spread of “superbugs,” germs that are resistant to antibiotics and represent a threat to the health of the entire population. Improperly disposed of drugs damage groundwater, putting the environment and, more importantly, your own drinking water at risk of contamination.
In a countrywide survey conducted in 2000, pharmaceuticals were discovered in 80 percent of the rivers and streams examined.
To safely dispose of medications
Find out if there is a medication disposal program near you. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) organizes National Prescription Drug Take-Back activities, which involve setting up collecting locations in towns around the country to ensure that prescription medicines are properly disposed of. A pharmaceutical take-back program sponsored by your local police department may also be available. If you are unable to locate a pharmaceutical take-back program in your area, you should contact your local waste management authority to learn about drug disposal choices and requirements in your region.
After removing pills out of their original containers and combining them with a “undesirable item” (such as cat litter or old coffee grounds), the FDA suggests placing the combination in a Ziploc bag or a container with a lid and tossing the entire package in the trash.
Non-Septic Safe Toilet Paper
The only item that should be flushed into your septic tank is human waste, and that should be done using a septic safe toilet paper. A toilet paper that is biodegradable and dissolves fast is essential.
On the packaging, look for the words “Septic Safe.” After evaluating 21 brands for softness, strength, and ripping ease in March of 2014, two brands stood out: White Cloud 3 Ply Ultra and Charmin Ultra Strong, however the Charmin did not disintegrate as rapidly as the White Cloud.
“Flush-able Wipes” and other Clogging Hazards
Flushable wipes, despite the fact that they are advertised as such, are anything but; they can take up to 10 minutes to break up and provide a significant clog danger.
It is possible that your laundry contributes a significant portion of the volume in your septic system. It is likely that the majority of the laundry detergents available at your local grocery shop include some form of environmental contamination. Look for the following:
Low Suds or Biodegradable:
Surfactants, which are foaming agents, are found in all soaps and detergents, and they are used to create foam. They work by lowering the surface tension of fluids, letting them to flow more freely between solids and so remove dirt from the surface of objects. Unfortunately, they have a negative impact on cell membranes and microorganisms, and they will harm the bacteria colony in your septic system. Fortunately, they decay rapidly and do not constitute a significant hazard to groundwater.
Low or no phosphorous and nitrogen:
We are fortunate in that nutrient pollutants such as phosphates and nitrates are now being phased out of the detergents we use since they encourage the growth of algae and weeds that choke out fish and wildlife in our ponds, lakes, streams, and rivers.
Chlorine bleach is extremely hazardous and should be avoided if possible, or used in small amounts when necessary. Unfortunately, chlorine bleach is included in a variety of cleaning and disinfecting products. Alternatives that are more effective include oxygen-based bleaches for laundry and white vinegar for disinfection.
Chemotherapy with chlorine bleach is extremely hazardous and should be avoided if at all possible. Unfortunately, chlorine bleach is found in a wide variety of cleaning and disinfecting products. Laundry bleaches based on oxygen are preferable, while white vinegar is preferable for disinfection purposes.
Automatic Toilet Cleaners
In addition to killing the germs in your toilet, the antibacterial compounds in automated toilet cleaners destroy the microorganisms in your septic tank as well. These toilet cleansers have the potential to result in a septic tank that is overflowing with blue water and a large amount of dead bacteria. A mixture of baking soda and white vinegar, used to clean the toilet, will provide similarly effective foamy results that are completely safe.
Dishwasher detergent is more likely than laundry detergent to include phosphates and surfactants, both of which are toxic to the microorganisms in your septic tank and should be avoided. They can also move through your septic tank to the drain field, where they can eventually seep into the soil and leak into ground water, putting your family at danger of drinking polluted water. Look for and use detergent that is free of phosphates.
When it comes to dishwasher detergent, it’s more likely than laundry detergent to include phosphates and surfactants, both of which are toxic to the microorganisms in your septic tank.
They can also move through your septic tank to the drain field, where they can eventually seep into the soil and leach into ground water, putting your family at danger of drinking polluted drinking water. Find and use detergent that is free of phosphates.
DIY Drain Cleaner:
- Add 1/2 cup baking soda to the drain and let it sit for a few minutes before adding 1/2 cup white vinegar mixed with extremely hot water to the drain. Allow for a few minutes of resting. This will trigger a chemical reaction, resulting in a lot of foaming, therefore stop the drain or cover it with a towel. The combination will begin to operate immediately, breaking down any lipids into salt and inert gas. Boiling water should be used to flush
Bathing with some baby oil may provide you with silky-soft skin when you get out, but it’s not a good idea for your septic tank’s performance. Once the oil has been washed into your septic tank, it produces a layer of scum on top of the floating waste, preventing it from settling. As a result, the bacteria are unable to penetrate the oil, preventing them from decomposing the waste. Additionally, the oil might obstruct your drain field.
Don’t flush anything inorganic down the toilet such as paints, solvents, insecticides, oils, or anything else that might kill the bacteria.
Other UnsafeSeptic Items – Things not to flush include
- Disposable diapers
- Sanitary napkins or tampons
- Paper towels or bandages
- Dental floss
- Cigarette butts
- Disposable diapers
- Disposable diapers Coffee grinds
- Kitty litter
- And so on.
Author’s Bio:Steve McGonagle, proprietor of Septic Genie, assists homeowners in diagnosing and resolving their septic system problems. The Septic Genie method, which was first patented in 1995, has assisted hundreds of households in restoring their damaged septic systems while avoiding the expensive cost of “dig and replace.” is a website dedicated to providing trouble-free septic systems for life.
How to Care for Your Septic System
Septic system maintenance is neither difficult or expensive, and it does not have to be done frequently. The maintenance of a vehicle is comprised of four major components:
- Inspect and pump your drainfield on a regular basis
- Conserve water
- Dispose of waste properly
- And keep your drainfield in good condition.
Inspect and Pump Frequently
Make frequent inspections and pumps; save water; dispose of waste in a proper manner; and keep your drainfield in good condition.
- The size of the household
- The total amount of wastewater produced
- The amount of solids present in wastewater
- The size of the septic tank
Service provider coming? Here is what you need to know.
When you contact a septic service provider, he or she will inspect your septic tank for leaks as well as the scum and sludge layers that have built up over time. Maintain detailed records of any maintenance work conducted on your septic system. Because of the T-shaped outlet on the side of your tank, sludge and scum will not be able to escape from the tank and travel to the drainfield region. A pumping is required when the bottom of the scum layer or the top of the sludge layer is within six inches of the bottom of the outlet, or if the top of the sludge layer is within 12 inches of the bottom of the outlet.
In the service report for your system, the service provider should mention the completion of repairs as well as the condition of the tank.
An online septic finder from the National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association (NOWRA) makes it simple to identify service specialists in your region.
Use Water Efficiently
In a normal single-family house, the average indoor water consumption is about 70 gallons per person, per day, on average. A single leaking or running toilet can waste as much as 200 gallons of water each day, depending on the situation. The septic system is responsible for disposing of all of the water that a residence sends down its pipes. The more water that is conserved in a household, the less water that enters the sewage system.
A septic system that is operated efficiently will operate more efficiently and will have a lower chance of failure. The Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense program offers several simple strategies to conserve water as well as water-efficient goods.
- Approximately 70 gallons of indoor water are consumed by each individual in a normal single-family house on a daily basis. A single leaking or running toilet can waste as much as 200 gallons of water each day, depending on how often it occurs. Septic systems collect and treat all of the water that a household sends down its pipes. When a family conserves water, less water is discharged into a storm drain or into the septic tank. Improved septic system performance and reduced failure risk are two benefits of water conservation. With the Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense program, you may conserve water in a variety of ways and buy goods that are more water-efficient.
Properly Dispose of Waste
Everything that goes down your drains, whether it’s flushed down the toilet, ground up in the trash disposal, or poured down the sink, shower, or bath, ends up in your septic system, which is where it belongs. What you flush down the toilet has an impact on how effectively your septic system functions.
Toilets aren’t trash cans!
Your septic system is not a garbage disposal system. A simple rule of thumb is to never flush anything other than human waste and toilet paper down the toilet. Never flush a toilet:
- Septic systems are not meant to be used as garbage disposal systems. A simple rule of thumb is that you should not flush anything other than human waste and toilet paper down the toilet. Never flush a toilet if you can help it
Toilet Paper Needs to Be Flushed! Check out this video, which demonstrates why the only item you should flush down your toilet are toilet paper rolls.
Think at the sink!
Your septic system is made up of a collection of living organisms that digest and treat the waste generated by your household. Pouring pollutants down your drain can kill these organisms and cause damage to your septic system as well as other things. Whether you’re at the kitchen sink, the bathtub, or the utility sink, remember the following:
- If you have a clogged drain, avoid using chemical drain openers. To prevent this from happening, use hot water or a drain snake
- Never dump cooking oil or grease down the sink or toilet. It is never a good idea to flush oil-based paints, solvents, or huge quantities of harmful cleansers down the toilet. Even latex paint waste should be kept to a bare minimum. Disposal of rubbish should be avoided or limited to a minimum. Fats, grease, and particles will be considerably reduced in your septic tank, reducing the likelihood of your drainfield being clogged.
Own a recreational vehicle (RV), boat or mobile home?
When dealing with a clogged drain, stay away from chemical drain openers if possible. To prevent clogging, use hot water or a drain snake; Don’t ever flush cooking oil or grease down the toilet. It is never a good idea to flush oil-based paints, solvents, or huge amounts of harmful cleansers down the toilet. We should strive to reduce even latex paint waste. Disposal of rubbish should be eliminated or limited to a minimum. In turn, this will dramatically limit the quantity of fats, grease, and sediments that enter your septic tank and eventually block its drainfield; and
- The National Small Flows Clearinghouse’s Septic System Care hotline, which may be reached toll-free at 800-624-8301, has a factsheet on safe wastewater disposal for RV, boat, and mobile home owners and operators.
Maintain Your Drainfield
It is critical that you maintain the integrity of your drainfield, which is a component of your septic system that filters impurities from the liquid that emerges from your septic tank once it has been installed. Here are some things you should do to keep it in good condition:
- Parking: Do not park or drive on your drainfield at any time. Plan your tree plantings so that their roots do not grow into your drainfield or septic system. An experienced septic service provider can recommend the appropriate distance for your septic tank and surrounding landscaping, based on your specific situation. Locating Your Drainfield: Keep any roof drains, sump pumps, and other rainfall drainage systems away from the drainfield area. Excess water causes the wastewater treatment process to slow down or halt completely.