1. Never Dispose of Food in The Garbage Disposal

 

This is a common saying for owners of a septic system. However, people commonly mistake the saying don’t flush your dinner down the kitchen sink, with Don’t use your garbage disposal at all.

Your septic tank can handle small bits of food from normal use of a garbage disposal.
The septic tank’s ecosystem and bacteria break down small bits of food. Based on this source from Wapiti Pacific Contractors, it should have the capacity to be suitable for every home owner.

Where you can get into real problems is by substituting your garbage disposal for a garbage can. 

One thing you DO want to avoid, is grease in your sink. Grease has the potential to solidify in your pipes before it even makes it to your septic system. Grease is a duel threat; a plumbing and septic enemy. It is better to hire a trusted plumbers townsville to check the proper lining of pipes so that there will be no problem using them in the long run. 

If Grease does make it to your septic system, it will float on top of the water and eventually make its way to the drainfield and clog the soil. This could result in drainfield failure; a extremely costly problem. Contact a local septic service provider if you encounter any issues with your septic system. If you decide to connect your home to a municipal sewer system instead, you may need a new sewer pump system installation. Afterwards, you may need Emergency Residential Sewer Cleaning services once in a while.

 

2. Never Flush Cleaning Products Down The Drain

 

While this statement does hold weight most of the time, it’s all about moderation. 

The Clean Group: about commercial cleaning warns that cleaners and solvents that are not approved to be flushed down a sink or drain should NEVER be disposed of into your sink or toilet, let alone any drain in a home on septic.

However, in small limited amounts, It’s okay for approved cleaners to enter your septic tank. A small infusion of bleach from a load of laundry will not affect a few thousand gallons of water and bacteria in your septic tank.

Still be wary of strong chemicals, such as drain clog fixers, like Drain-O. These large amounts of harsh concentrated chemicals are not suited for a septic tank. Try boiling water and a drain snake instead!  

Also note that continuous chemical releasing products, like a toilet bleach puck, are not recommended. They release bleach and other chemicals with every flush, and are not safe for homes on septic.

Never pour raw cleaners, bleach, or household chemicals down the drain.

Rule of thumb; if the amount of cleaner you are using is a legitimate portion for a one-time use, such as cleaning the sink or doing laundry, it is okay for your septic system. Breaking this rule has the potential to “break” your septic tank!

 

3. A Properly Functioning Septic Tank Needs Additives

Save your money. Your septic tank is actually a resilient biological ecosystem.

The ecosystem only needs the regular bacteria it receives from natural human waste.

Most studies on this matter only go as far to say choice additives are not directly harmful to the environment. No prevalent studies boast significant advantages of using additives.

Many States believe that some additives are causing more harm than good. Washington State Health Department concluded in 1993 that, “most additives do not have a positive effect on the operation of on-site systems, and can contaminate groundwater aquifers, render septic drainfields dysfunctional, and result in costly repairs to homeowners. It is therefore the intent of the legislature to ban the use, sale, and distribution of additives within the state unless an additive has been specifically approved by the Department of Health.”

Rule of thumb; You can find approved septic additives on the market today. However, they are not necessary, just a money making “gimmick.” 

 

If you ever experience slow moving drains, pooling water, or other septic problems, don’t hesitate to call.

Stop your small problems in their tracks before they become LARGE problems!! 

 Leave a comment below and one of our managers will contact you! 

---

Visit our Residential Septic Services page to see all that Stamie Lyttle has to offer!