Septic system failure can contaminate groundwater and surface water and lead to costly repairs for the homeowner. Only human waste and toilet paper should be flushed down the toilet.
The toilet paper you flush into your septic tank and other solids sinks to the bottom of the tank. Over time, a layer of sludge builds up. While naturally occurring bacteria will decompose that sludge, it doesn't happen as fast as the sludge layer grows.
If you purchase toilet paper that is labeled septic safe it should dissolve completely within 20 minutes. You can test this yourself by taking your septic-safe toilet paper brand and scrunching it into a cup of water.
Thick, Multi-Ply Toilet Paper
Those luxuriously soft, multi-ply toilet papers might feel amazing, but they are often the biggest culprits when it comes to septic system problems. Those plush, multi-ply sheets might offer a gentle touch, but they come with a hefty price.
Overfilling. Flushing too much toilet paper down the toilet can also overload the septic system and cause it to fill up more quickly than it can handle. This can lead to an overflow of sewage and other materials, which can be hazardous to human health and the environment.
Septic systems rely on bacteria inside the tank that works to break down toilet paper and solid waste. As the solids get broken down, they are transformed into sludge that settles at the very bottom of the tank.
Household septic tanks are typically pumped every three to five years. Alternative systems with electrical float switches, pumps, or mechanical components should be inspected more often, generally once a year. A service contract is important since alternative systems have mechanized parts.
Yes. Charmin is septic safe and thoroughly tested to ensure it will settle in a septic tank and then undergo biodegradation in the 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. Avoid using a garburator to dispose of kitchen wastes.
Blueland Toilet Bowl Cleaner tablets are septic-safe! These tablets are 100% bio-based and made without chlorine bleach, hydrochloric acid or cetrimonium chloride (CTAC).
Use a Septic System Additive
Waste & Grease Eco-Friendly Digestant makes it easy to maintain a clean and sanitized home environment as well as a healthy bacteria population in your septic tank. Monthly use of Waste & Grease Eco-Friendly Digestant will help reduce surface and bottom solids in the septic tank.
Cottonelle UltraComfortcare is clog-free, septic-safe, and sewer-safe. Cottonelle uses renewable plant-based fibers, which makes this toilet paper biodegradable and great for your septic system. They do not contain any harsh ingredients or chemicals, so should not disrupt the delicate balance in your septic system.
On average, it takes anywhere from three to five years for waste to fully decompose in a septic tank. The decomposition time for waste in a septic tank can vary based on several factors, including the tank's size, the number of occupants in the household, and the types of waste introduced.
It may surprise you, but grease and oil can spoil a septic system by clogging up the drain field and polluting the surrounding soil. Polluted soil cannot absorb and process liquids from your system. You could have to replace your septic tank system if you incur serious issues.
Find a medium-sized glass jar and fill it with 3/4 tap water. Add 6-8 sheets of toilet paper. Seal the jar and shake it vigorously for 10 seconds. If, after shaking, the paper has broken down fully, it is considered to be safe for most any well-maintained septic tank or plumbing system.
Yes, Dawn dish soap is generally safe for septic systems. It's got quite a reputation for being septic-friendly, and for good reason. As long as you're not going overboard with it, Dawn isn't likely to mess with the bacteria in your septic tank.
The truth is toilet paper is designed to be flushed, and there is no evidence that your septic tanks will have any difficulty filtering out standard toilet paper. You may continue to buy your favorite toilet paper and flush it with impunity, provided you don't try to flush too much all at once.
The purer the pulp, the quicker it dissolves. Bamboo: An eco-friendly option, bamboo-based toilet papers tend to break down faster than their wood pulp counterparts, making them a top choice for the environmentally conscious and those with older plumbing systems.
Toilet Paper – should be single-ply toilet paper because it breaks down in the septic system faster and better than higher ply count toilet paper. Use toilet paper labeled biodegradable, recycled or septic-safe.
In general, a septic tank should be inspected every 1 to 3 years and pumped every 3 to 5 years.
The average cost to pump a septic tank is $423, with most people paying between $289 and $557. Septic tank pumping isn't the most glamorous task, but it's one that you should definitely stay on top of every three to five years to keep your system working properly and avoid an unsightly (and smelly) mess in your yard.
Spring: Spring is an excellent time for septic tank pumping. As the ground thaws and snow melts, accessing and servicing your system becomes easier. This season also prepares your septic tank for increased usage during the summer months.