Never put oil, gasoline, paint thinners, solvents, photographic chemicals, weed or insect killers down the drain. They can poison your septic system and possibly threaten water supplies for your whole neighbourhood. Even latex paint is unhealthy for your septic system.
Don't Put Grease or Fat Into the System
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.
Most septic systems malfunction because of inappropriate design or poor maintenance. Some soil-based systems (those with a drain field) are installed at sites with inadequate or inappropriate soils, excessive slopes, or high ground water tables.
Enzymes go to work on the scum, and bacteria goes to work on the sludge. The microbes eat the waste and convert large portions of it into liquids and gases. This process allows the septic tank to push the now-treated wastewater out to the drainfield.
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.
Although bleach effectively destroys germs, it can also ruin your septic system. Bleach kills both good and bad bacteria. If the good bacteria are destroyed, your tank won't be able to break down waste effectively. As a result, your septic system will become clogged with waste.
The average lifespan of a septic system is 15 to 40 years, but it can last longer if properly maintained! Think at the sink. Consider what you put into your toilet and sink and the impact it may have on your system. Many common household items can either clog your system or kill the microbes that treat the wastewater.
The average cost to pump a septic tank is about $395, but prices can vary widely, from $294 to $514. Several factors can influence the final price, including: Size of the tank: Larger tanks require more time and effort to pump, which can raise costs.
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.
Adding a septic system bacteria additive once a month restores the good worker bacteria and enzymes to counteract the effects of household disinfectants. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Septic Tanks
Water from your shower goes into the septic tank, so an overfull septic tank could lead to sewage backups.
So, to sum it all up, Lysol Toilet Bowl Cleaner and most other Lysol products are generally safe for septic systems if you use it like they tell you to. It cleans and disinfects well without hurting the good bacteria that your septic system needs. But remember, don't use too much of it or any cleaning stuff.
The septic tank has a specific capacity and can only handle a limited amount of wastewater at a time. If excessive amounts of water enter the septic tank, it can overflow and cause water to pool in your yard. To avoid this, space out the showers.
Septic systems are not intended to dispose of food waste, coffee grounds, grease, or fat, and, in fact, they will harm the septic tank. Try using a compost pile for non-meat food waste; it will help you avoid paying for unnecessary septic system repairs! Don't use a kitchen garbage disposal.
In general, a septic tank should be inspected every 1 to 3 years and pumped every 3 to 5 years. The frequency of pumping the septic tank depends on the tank size, number of people in the household, habits of water use as well as the amount of solids accumulated in the tank.
SEPTIC TANK OVERLOAD
An overloaded septic system does not allow solids to adequately settle and limits necessary bacterial activity. This increases the risk of solids moving into and clogging the drain field, which can reduce the septic tank's efficiency or lead to a complete breakdown of the system.
Most home insurance policies include protection for "other structures," which includes things like septic tanks, pools and fences. These are covered in the same way as everything else inside your home — provided the damage was sudden and something the homeowners could have done nothing to prevent.
Septic tanks can be a haven for organic material and waste, providing a potential feast for hungry pests. Mice and insects such as ants, flies, and roaches are all drawn to decaying matter, which can be found in and around a septic tank.
If defective, the house cannot be occupied without a functioning septic system. Either the seller needs to repair/replace, or the buyer does. If the seller doesn't fix it, a discount is usually given to the buyer for the cost of repair/replacement.
Daily and Weekly Load Considerations
On a daily basis, limit your laundry loads to 2-3 per day to ensure a managable flow of water and chemicals into your septic tank. The weekly total can range from 7 to 10 loads, depending on your household size, septic tank capacity, and water efficiency.
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.
Vinegar will not damage a septic tank if used in moderation. As a diluted form of acetic acid, vinegar is not strong enough to harm the septic system or the vital bacteria within the tank.