Each box and bottle of
The Santeen Sulfuric Acid Drain Opener proved to be the most potent among all the chemical drain cleaners we tested, effectively dissolving 80% of the hair, 80% of the organic matter, 40% of the grease and 76% of the paper products.
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.
Best Septic Tank Maintenance Product
A great product is Septic Blast, which will eliminate the organic matter inside your tank. It contains beneficial enzymes that will break down toilet paper, hair and more without damaging your pipes or your septic system.
Toilet paper is fine to flush with a septic system. Not flushing toilet paper isn't going to stop that septic from needing to be pumped at some point in the future.
You can also use bleach for this purpose and some other chemicals designed specifically for dissolving toilet paper clogs in drains and pipes. These products contain chemicals such as sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) or hydrogen peroxide (H2O2).
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.
Yes. Charmin is septic safe and thoroughly tested to ensure it will settle in a septic tank and then undergo biodegradation in the tank.
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.
Healthy septic tanks already have enough bacteria to support the biological processes that treat human waste and wastewater. By adding more bacteria in the tank, you create conditions in which bacterial populations compete against each other. This competition can do more harm than good.
Substances like toilet paper and fecal matter will eventually dissolve within the toilet drain and clear the clog organically. However, blockages made from insoluble materials won't resolve on their own and typically require you to fix the clog manually or contact a professional before they worsen.
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.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other relevant state authorities, additives like Rid-X have detrimental and potentially hazardous impacts on the treatment process. The reason for this is because these additives result in breaking down solid waste further than is required.
Pour in baking soda.
Add 1/2 cup baking soda directly into the toilet bowl water surrounding the blocked toilet. Slowly pour 1/2 cup of distilled white vinegar down the inside of the bowl to avoid splashes. Stand back as a fizzy foam reaction occurs, potentially breaking apart paper.
The fizzing reaction and gas created may help loosen some small blockages. However, it is not typically strong enough to break down larger clogs or remove hard-to-reach debris. As a result of the above facts, if you have a serious drain clog, using baking soda and vinegar is unlikely to be effective.
Naturally occurring bacteria inside your septic tank work to dissolve and consume the solid waste. This is the good bacteria you need to help keep your septic tank system working properly. The liquid in your tank then drains through small holes in the pipes into your drain field.
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.
A septic tank works by the simple process of biological decomposition and distribution drainage. Bacterial microorganisms break down the waste inside a septic tank which can then be safely redistributed or disposed of.
As an added benefit for your septic system, the finely grained Epsom salt will promote vegetation growth over your drain field, which helps prevent it from becoming water laden during heavy rains.
Scott 1000: This is an amazing 1-ply toilet paper that dissolves faster than the rest and still performs better even if you use more sheets. Angel Soft: For a 2-ply roll of T.P., this brand is effective at disintegrating quickly and offering a soft texture quality.
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.
However, that is not how you should deal with hair. Hair contains proteins which the bacteria in your septic tank cannot break down. Human hair can take hundreds of years to break down.
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.
For example, cigarette butts, sanitary wipes, diapers, and paper towels should never enter the septic tank. Nail polish, paint, glue, and motor oil are also substances that can destroy your septic tank. Also, specific cleaning detergents contain chemicals that can damage the septic tank.