What To Avoid With A Septic Tank? (Solution)

Things to avoid include bleach, paint, disinfectants, garden pesticides, medicines, solvents like white spirit and drain cleaning and unblocking liquids that contain caustic soda. There are cleaning products that have been specially designed for use with septic tanks.

When should you not have a septic system pumped?

• When the Septic System is Flooded by a Storm or Area Flooding, Don’t Pump It Out If you property has been flooded by rising water such as from a storm, hurricane, or a river overflow, pumping out a septic tank when ground waters are still flooding the area of the septic tank can lead to some unexpected problems:

What not to use if you have a septic tank?

You should not put these items into your commode:

1. Cat litter.
2. Coffee grounds.
3. Cigarette butts.
4. Dental floss.
5. Disposable diapers.
6. Earplugs.
7. Sanitary napkins or tampons.

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.

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 mouthwash safe for septic tanks?

Fats and grease should never be put down the drain; they inhibit the bacteria and build up in the tank as scum. Septic tank additives are not recommended. Chemicals such as bleach, disinfectants and antiseptics, even mouthwash, can kill the bacteria and bring the digestive process to a halt.

What is the most common cause of septic system failure?

Most septic systems fail 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.

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:

1. Your Drains Are Taking Forever.
2. Standing Water Over Your Septic Tank.
3. Bad Smells Coming From Your Yard.
4. You Hear Gurgling Water.
5. You Have A Sewage Backup.
6. How often should you empty your septic tank?

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.

Can you pour milk down the drain if you have a 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.

How do you clean a toilet with a septic tank?

Mix one part muriatic acid to five parts water and slowly pour that solution into the toilet bowl. Add just enough to come up to the normal water level in the bowl. If you add any extra, it will go down the drain line toward your septic tank. Let the acid solution sit in the bowl for two to three hours.

Is Gain detergent safe for septic systems?

Is Gain Laundry Detergent Safe for Septic Systems? What Laundry Detergent Is Safe for Septic Systems? Is ALL Laundry Detergent Safe for Septic Systems? Yes, ALL laundry detergent is safe for septic systems.

Is Pinesol septic safe?

A: Yes! Following the recommended use of any Pine-Sol^® product will not harm your septic system.

Is Jif septic safe?

Always read the labels and it is suggested that if in doubt, expert guidance should be sought from appropriately qualified persons. Jiff or any cream cleanser Avoid any Anti Bacterial, Bleech or Amonia based products. Check on packaging that tissue is recommended for septic tank use.

Where does shower water go when you have a septic tank?

When shower water enters the shower drain, it combines with wastewater from the toilet and sinks then goes to either a septic tank or a wastewater treatment plant. If it goes to the septic tank, it will naturally get cleaned and allowed to seep into the ground.

Top 10 products to avoid using when you have a septic tank

What you let to enter your septic tank will have a direct influence on the efficiency and lifetime of the tank itself. Bacteria exist in your septic system, and they perform an important part in the system by digesting the organic waste that enters it. As a result, it is your responsibility to avoid flushing anything down the toilet that might potentially harm the beneficial bacteria. Try to avoid flushing anything that can be disposed of properly in the garbage as a general rule of thumb However, to make it even obvious, here are the top 10 home goods that should be avoided if you have a septic tank.

Fabric softeners

Fabric softeners are a terrible choice for septic system owners because of the way they operate on a fundamental level of operation. They accomplish this by introducing slimy chemicals into clothing in order to soften the textiles. These slimy molecules are referred to as quats (quaternary ammonium compounds), and they have been shown to be effective against bacteria. Also included in the formulation is an acid-base mixture that is intended to regulate pH levels while washing in order to increase absorption.

Fabric softeners become poisonous to bacteria as a result of the presence of all of these substances, and you should avoid using them.

Latex products

Latex materials are typically non-biodegradable, and as a result, they should be avoided while flushing the toilet. This implies that latex products will not be digested by the bacteria and will only be eliminated at the time of the next pumping session. In certain instances, the latex may even make its way into the drain field, causing the system to become clogged and ineffective. According to popular belief, latex condoms are only constructed from the material of rubber. Truth be told, certain synthetic components are also added to make them stronger and thinner, although this is not well known.

Medicines

Medicines are goods that should not be flushed down the toilet if you have a septic system in your home. Never succumb to the temptation of dumping leftover medications down the toilet. Pharmaceutical goods have the potential to disrupt the bacterial equilibrium in a septic tank, resulting in septic tank failure. The compounds included in medications are also capable of leaking through the drain field and harming the groundwater. This is actually a pretty typical occurrence in today’s society.

Instead of flushing your medications down the toilet, take use of accessible take-back disposal services.

Antibacterial soap

Even from the name, it is clear that antibacterial soap is a product that has been particularly created to fight bacteria. If you pour this sort of soap down your drain, it will accomplish exactly what it says on the label – it will destroy the beneficial bacteria in your septic system.

To avoid this, simply wash your hands with regular soap. Natural disinfectants such as lime juice can also be used in place of antibacterial soaps to keep your home clean.

Cosmetics

Heavy metals such as zinc, chromium, silver, cadmium, and even titanium are included in the majority of cosmetic items. The septic tank becomes contaminated with some of these metals when you wash these cosmetics off in the sink. The fact that these metals are not biodegradable means that they will ultimately exit the septic tank in their original condition and wind up poisoning groundwater sources. Cosmetics, as a result, are among the most crucial goods to avoid while using a septic system.

Drain cleaners

Pipe corrosion is a result of the use of drain cleaners, which not only destroy germs in the septic system, but they also erode the pipes themselves. Therefore, drain cleaners should be avoided at all costs, especially in the case of people who do not utilize a septic system. To be on the safe side, utilize a degreaser that is both enzymatic and bacterial in nature. For anyone interested, Bio-Soli is now offering a really decent one. It comes in the form of a liquid and is really effective.

Bleach

Bleach is extremely poisonous to bacteria and should be avoided or used sparingly in any situation. When it comes to washing clothing, using bleach in modest amounts is OK; but, if you use too much bleach, the bleach may destroy the beneficial bacteria in the septic tank. Furthermore, bleach will exit the septic tank in its original state, resulting in pollution of the groundwater supply system.

Dishwasher and laundry detergent

In most cases, phosphates and surfactants are included in laundry and dishwashing detergents, and these substances can readily enter the drain field. Apart from causing harm to the beneficial bacteria, these phosphates and surfactants have the potential to leach out of the septic tank in a hazardous form, poisoning the surrounding groundwater supply. Always use detergents that are devoid of phosphates to prevent getting into this situation.

Crushed food

It is not recommended to flush food particles down the toilet. Even though they have been crushed, they will not give up. This is due to the fact that food particles decompose at a slower rate than other types of organic waste. As a result, these food particles may find their way into your leach field, where they may cause clogs. All residual food particles should be scraped off the plates and disposed of in the compost bin after they have been used.

Fats, Oils, and Greases (FOG)

In the event that you pour FOG down your sink, you will draw all types of issues. In the first instance, the FOG will cool down and become trapped on the edges of the pipes. In the meanwhile, the collected fog will continue to trap debris, which might eventually result in clogged pipes. Second, bacteria are not easily able to break down fats, oils, and greases, as previously stated. FOG will just float to the surface of the septic tank and contribute to the formation of the scum layer.

As the FOG continues to build up, the septic tank will begin to fill up much more quickly than usual. Before washing greasy utensils, wipe them down with a paper towel to ensure that you are not flushing too much fat down the drain.

Conclusion

Being aware of the items to avoid using in your house can assist you in extending the life of your septic system as well as avoiding avoidable failures in the future. The 10 goods to avoid that we discussed above are some of the most often dangerous products on the market, but the list just scratches the surface of the problem. The number of things that you may be utilizing that are operating your septic system without your knowing is virtually limitless. That’s why we put up a detailed eBook that includes a list of 30 things that you should avoid if you have a septic system.

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.

Medicines

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.

Laundry Detergents

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 free:

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.

Antibacterial Soaps

Avoid using antibacterial hand soaps and any product that claims to be antibacterial. This is not only due to the obvious harm they could do to your bacterial colony, which is required for your septic system to function, but it is also due to the fact that they are now being linked to the development of antibiotic resistant “superbugs.” The good old-fashioned soap and water will suffice.

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 Detergents

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.

Drain Cleaners

Drain cleaners should not be used by any homeowner, including those who do not have septic systems in their homes. Chemical drain cleaners not only have the potential to harm beneficial bacteria in your septic tank, but they may also eat away at your pipes! The caustic soda or lye employed in them is a potent oxidant and can result in serious burns if ingested or handled improperly. If your drains are blocked, it is far preferable to spend a little extra money to call a plumber to unclog them rather than using a chemical drain cleaner to clear them.

DIY Drain Cleaner:

1. 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

Bath Oils

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.

Solvents

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
• Condoms
• Hair
• 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. ​

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.

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

Inspection of the ordinary residential septic system should be performed by a septic service specialist at least once every three years. Household septic tanks are normally pumped every three to five years, depending on how often they are used. Alternative systems that use electrical float switches, pumps, or mechanical components should be examined more frequently, typically once a year, to ensure that they are in proper working order. Because alternative systems contain mechanical components, it is essential to have a service contract.

• 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.

• Toilets with a high level of efficiency. The usage of toilets accounts for 25 to 30% of total home water use. Many older homes have toilets with reservoirs that hold 3.5 to 5 gallons of water, but contemporary, high-efficiency toilets consume 1.6 gallons or less of water for each flush. Changing out your old toilets for high-efficiency versions is a simple approach to lessen the amount of household water that gets into your septic system. Aerators for faucets and high-efficiency showerheads are also available. Reduce water use and the volume of water entering your septic system by using faucet aerators, high-efficiency showerheads, and shower flow restriction devices. Machines for washing clothes. Water and energy are wasted when little loads of laundry are washed on the large-load cycle of your washing machine. By selecting the appropriate load size, you may limit the amount of water wasted. If you are unable to specify a load size, only complete loads of washing should be performed. Washing machine use should be spread throughout the week if at all possible. Doing all of your household laundry in one day may appear to be a time-saving strategy
• Nevertheless, it can cause damage to your septic system by denying your septic tank adequate time to handle waste and may even cause your drainfield to overflow. Machines that have earned theENERGY STARlabel consume 35 percent less energy and 50 percent less water than ordinary ones, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Other Energy Star appliances can save you a lot of money on your energy and water bills.

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:

• Cooking grease or oil
• Wipes that are not flushable, such as baby wipes or other wet wipes
• Photographic solutions
• Feminine hygiene items Condoms
• Medical supplies such as dental floss and disposable diapers, cigarette butts and coffee grounds, cat litter and paper towels, pharmaceuticals, and household chemicals such as gasoline and oil, insecticides, antifreeze, and paint or paint thinners

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:

• Septic systems are made up of a variety of live organisms that digest and treat the waste generated by your household. In addition to killing these creatures, dumping poisons down the drain might damage your septic system. It makes no difference if you’re standing at the kitchen sink, the bathroom sink, or the laundry sink:

Own a recreational vehicle (RV), boat or mobile home?

If you have ever spent any time in an RV or boat, you are undoubtedly familiar with the issue of aromas emanating from sewage holding tanks.

• 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.

Septic System Do’s and Don’ts – Septic Tank and Septic System Services, Repairs, Installations in New Jersey

Skip to the main content MenuClose Take note of these suggestions on what to do and what not to do if you have a septic system for waste management at your residence or place of business. A decent rule of thumb is: if you haven’t eaten it, wouldn’t eat it, or couldn’t eat it, don’t put anything in the septic system.

Septic System Do’s

• Continue reading the article. MenuClose Maintain your septic system for waste management in your house or company by following these guidelines on what to do and what to avoid. As a general rule of thumb, don’t put anything in the septic tank that you haven’t eaten, wouldn’t eat, or couldn’t eat.

Septic System Don’ts

• Garbage disposals should be avoided. In addition to increasing the accumulation of solids in the septic tank, garbage grinders also increase solids entering the leach fields and pits, which are both detrimental to the environment. Their downsides exceed the convenience they give, and they are thus not suggested for houses that have their own sewage treatment systems in place. If septic tanks are utilized, the capacity of the tank should be raised, or the discharge should be routed via a separate tank first, known as a garbage tank. The system should discharge into the septic tank or into a separate leaching system rather than straight into the current leaching system once it has been installed. For those who have a garbage disposal, make sure to pump it more frequently– or, better yet, compost your kitchen wastes altogether. Disposals result in the accumulation of fats, particularly from meat and bones, as well as insoluble vegetable particles. Here are a few items (this is not an exhaustive list) that should never be dumped into a septic tank or leach field:

• Cigarette butts, disposable diapers, sanitary napkins, tampons, handi-wipes, pop-off toilet wand scrubbers, garbage, condoms, hair, bandages, and so forth

• Ragstrings, coffee grounds, paper towels, anti-bacterial soaps – biodegradable soaps only
• No “biocompatible soaps”
• Ragstrings, coffee grounds, paper towels Dead fish or small animals
• Rubber, plastic, or metallic things
• Hard toilet paper – soft toilet paper is preferable for the tank.

• Excessive use of chlorine and chemicals should be avoided – (1 part chlorine to 5 parts water makes an effective bacteria cleaning spray)
• Allowing water conditioning backwashes or outflow from water softeners, purifiers, sanitizers, or conditioners is not recommended. Dehumidifiers and air conditioners release moisture
• Discharges from hot pools and jacuzzis Water from leaking devices, such as toilets that are difficult to detect. Make a habit of color testing the toilet on a regular basis to look for septic system issues. Keep dirt and inert materials to a minimum. Clothes, fruits, and vegetables that have been soiled should be dusted off before washing. Even diluted, do not dispose of chemicals from x-ray equipment since they will condense and harm the subsurface environment, which is against the law. Avoid using hair conditioners that include heavy oils – if you do, please let us know so that we may make adjustments to compensate with more or alternative bacteria (or avoid using them totally if they are not biodegradable). Keep grease from the kitchen OUT of the septic system. It is difficult to break down and might cause a blockage in your drain field. In order to dissolve these oils, there are currently no known solvents that are safe for use in groundwater. Chemical additions for septic tanks are not advised. Household systems cannot function properly if additives are used. In addition, excessive use of these chemicals may cause the waste from your toilet to be released into your septic tank, causing your system to fail prematurely. It is possible that some additives will damage your groundwater. In order for your septic system to function properly, no extra additives are required. Many of those that market their services as “solid waste removal” really deliver on their promises. During the solids removal process, the solids are transported to a disposal field. When the solids reach the disposal area, they shut up the space and cause the system to malfunction. Furthermore, although it is not harmful, it is not required to “seed” a new system with yeast or other organisms. Even routinely disposed of human waste includes enough bacteria to populate the septic tank, and other microorganisms are already in the soil and stones of the disposal region

What NOT to Put in Your Septic Tank

Excessive use of chlorine and chemicals should be avoided – (1 part chlorine to 5 parts water is an effective bacteria cleaning spray); Allowing water conditioning backwashes/discharge from water softeners, purifiers, sanitizers, or conditioners is not recommended; nevertheless, Intake and outflow from humidifiers and air conditioners The outflow from hot tubs and jacuzzis It is possible to get water from leaking fixtures, even toilets that are hidden.

• Consider dye testing the toilet on a regular basis to check for septic system failure.
• Before washing muddy garments, fruits, and vegetables, make sure they are completely dry.
• Hair conditioners containing heavy oils should not be used; but, if you do, please let us know so that we may make adjustments to compensate with more or different bacteria (or avoid using them altogether if they are not biodegradable).
• It is difficult to break down and might cause a blockage in your drainage system.
• Additives for septic tanks are not advised.
• In addition, excessive use of these chemicals may cause the waste from your home to be released into the leach field, causing your system to fail sooner than it would have otherwise.
• A particular addition to your septic system isn’t required in most cases.
• In order to be disposed of properly, the solids must first pass through a tank.
• It is also not required to “seed” a new system with yeast or other organisms, despite the fact that doing so does nothing but cause discomfort.

A normal amount of bacteria is present in human waste to fill a septic tank, and additional germs exist in the soil and stones of the disposal location already.

Being kind to your septic tank pays dividends

Your septic tank is a biological system that decomposes organic waste, primarily human waste, in a controlled environment. The use of this method for disposing of other organic (and inorganic) waste products is not recommended. There are a few items that you should never put into your septic tank in order to avoid this situation. Food. Food should not be flushed down the toilet, and if at all possible, avoid using a garbage disposal. Grease and oil contribute to the formation of the scum layer on the surface of the tank, but they have no effect on the biological activity occurring there.

• Consider starting a compost pile for food waste that is derived from plants.
• Facial tissues, sanitary napkins and tampons, disposable diapers, baby wipes, paper towels, cigarette butts, kitty litter and other waste from the toilet should be disposed of in the garbage.
• If you didn’t create it and it isn’t toilet paper, you should avoid flushing it altogether.
• Drain cleaners are quite damaging to your plumbing system, as well as to your septic system as well.
• Drain cleansers should not be used!
• Cleaners for the home.
• Bacteria-killing products such as bleach, toilet bowl cleansers, and home cleaners are also available.
• The use of household cleansers, which do not discriminate between harmful and healthy bacteria, should be minimized to the greatest extent feasible.
• Paint, varnish, paint thinner, antifreeze, expired prescription prescriptions, antibacterial soap, pesticides, gasoline, kerosene, oil, or anything else of a similar kind should not be flushed down the bathroom sink.
• These chemicals will kill the microorganisms in your septic tank, and worse than that, they will damage the groundwater in the surrounding area, which includes your well.
• In order to arrange service or drain cleaning, please call Clear Drain Cleaning at (330) 343-7146 for any and all of your drainage and drain maintenance requirements.

Care for Your Septic System: 5 Things to NEVER Put in Your Septic Tank

Posted at 22:10:10 in the AM Sewage Treatment Plant 0 Comments A sewage overflow is the last thing that any property owner wants to deal with on their land. If you have a septic tank, this is something that is likely to happen unless you maintain it properly. Septic systems provide a variety of advantages, including the removal of contaminants from surface water and the reduction of the danger of illness spreading across the community.

They do, however, need greater attention than standard, centralized sewage systems. One of the most effective strategies to keep your tank in good condition is to avoid flushing certain objects down the toilet. Let’s take a look at five materials that should never be introduced into your system.

1. Food Items

Food should be disposed of in the trash instead of down the garbage disposal. Solid food waste might clog your system and cause it to malfunction. Furthermore, the accumulation of oil and grease on the tank’s surface will result in a layer of buildup. An overflow might result, causing contamination in the soil around the area where it occurred. You might want to think about building a compost pile where you can dispose of organic waste. This will keep undesired objects out of your septic system and will benefit the environment rather than harming it.

2. Medications

You should avoid flushing any form of medicine down the toilet. This applies to both prescription medications and common over-the-counter medications. Septic tanks are filled with beneficial microorganisms that aid in the breakdown of waste. Medication can upset the delicate equilibrium of these microorganisms, resulting in serious issues in your aquarium. Aside from contaminating groundwater, pharmaceuticals can also cause environmental impact through polluting the environment. Groundwater contamination of the water supply might pose major health problems if it reaches the system.

3. Chemical Cleaners

Although drain cleaning products are effective in clearing minor blockages, they can do serious damage to your plumbing system. They’re particularly detrimental to septic systems. They have the same effect as pharmaceuticals in that they upset the delicate balance of beneficial microorganisms in your tank. In addition, you should minimize the amount of other home cleansers that you dispose of through sinks and toilets as well. Bleach, toilet bowl cleaning, and all-purpose cleansers are examples of such products.

4. Ordinary Toilet Paper

Never flush regular toilet paper down the toilet or into your septic system. This will result in a significant backup, which may necessitate the use of expert septic service. Purchase toilet paper that is meant to disintegrate and biodegrade fast, rather than regular toilet paper. Toilet paper brands that are septic-safe are readily available, and the label on the exterior of the container may easily be seen by consumers.

5. Other Trash Items

It’s critical to keep tiny waste items and debris out of your septic system to ensure proper operation. As a result, you will be less likely to get blockages or have your tank fill up too soon. Tissue, paper towels, kitty litter, dental floss, and wet wipes are examples of items that should not be flushed. As a result, they should be disposed of in your trashcan instead. A good rule of thumb is to only flush human waste and toilet paper that is safe for septic systems. When at all feasible, you should avoid utilizing your waste disposal as well.

Take Care of Your Septic Tank in Long Island

Using a septic tank does not have to be a hassle if you know what you’re doing and how to keep it in good condition. Keeping improper materials out of your drains is an important aspect of routine maintenance.

Keep this checklist in mind to ensure that your septic system is in peak operating condition. If your septic system on Long Island is in need of repair, we can assist you. To arrange servicing, please contact us right away.

3 Things You Should Keep Out of Your Septic Tank

While the primary means of eliminating wastewater from your house, do you ever stop to consider what else ends up in your septic tank as you go about your daily routine? Learn about three items that should never be flushed down the toilet or rinsed down the drain, as well as how they might ruin your septic system in this article.

1. Excess Food Waste

How often do you find yourself with a small bit of leftover food on your plate after a meal? Despite the fact that it may appear to be simpler to just rinse food waste into your garbage disposal, the reality is that ground-up food may be quite difficult on your septic tank and drainfield. Floating tiny particles included in ground food can readily pass through the effluent layer of the tank and discharge into the drainfield, clogging the pores that aid in the filtering and filtration of the wastewater.

For those who choose not to use a disposal system, they may only need to pump once every three years at the most.

For example, starchy meals such as pasta have a high absorption rate of water, placing you at greater risk of developing problematic blockages.

As an alternative to scrubbing off your plate in the sink, scrape your plate into the wet garbage and then limit your use of the sink to rinsing reasons only.

2. Strong Cleaning Products

Although you may like having clean, fresh-smelling sinks, tubs, and showers, the chemicals you use to clean, deodorize, and declog your septic system can cause havoc on the delicate bacterial balance within your system’s septic tank and drain field. To effectively break down organic waste, your septic tank relies on helpful bacteria to complete the job. This allows fluids to flow through your system efficiently. Unfortunately, if you pour cleansers down your drains, such as bleach, anti-bacterial soaps, and even drain cleaning, you may find yourself with a system that doesn’t function as it should.

As a comparison, it would take two gallons of bleach to cause the same degree of eubacteria harm.

Cleaning your house should only be done using septic-safe cleaning solutions, and you should avoid using anti-bacterial laundry detergents.

Straight bleach should never be used to clean sinks, toilets, or bathtubs. If you have a clogged drain, instead of using a chemical drain cleaner, call a plumber to snake the line out for you.

3. Wet Wipes

There has been an increase in the use of wet wipes in restrooms across the United States, which has resulted in an increase in septic difficulties – especially because many varieties of wet wipes are not meant to break down in septic tanks. It has been claimed that cities around the country are incurring increased expenditures for cleaning wet wipes from major sewage lines, and that homeowners with septic tanks are running the danger of permanently ruining their septic systems. Instead of flushing used wipes down the toilet, if your family prefers to use wet wipes instead of toilet paper, instruct your children to place them in a nearby rubbish can rather than flushing them.

Contact Southern Sanitary Systems Inc.

Along with septic tank pumping and repairs, our technicians can assist with plumbing inspections and after-hours emergency assistance as well.

5 Easy Ways to Avoid Septic Tank Problems

Your septic tank is most likely something that you don’t pay much consideration to. However, it is important. For the most part, your septic tank is self-contained and requires little to no oversight. It also requires little maintenance. However, whether as a consequence of improper maintenance or natural degradation, your septic tank will eventually need to be cleaned and repaired or replaced. Fortunately, there are simple solutions to minimize septic tank problems that need little to no work on your part.

1. Watch What You Flush

The only things that should be flushed down the toilet are body waste and toilet paper. Within the septic tank, these two substances may be readily broken down and will gradually decline in concentration over time. Non-biodegradable goods, on the other hand, can cause serious difficulties with your septic tank if they are flushed down the toilet. Items such as gum, q-tips, and paper towels should never be flushed down the toilet because they might block the drainage system and cause it to overflow.

2. Monitor Your Kitchen Drain

There are only two things that should be flushed down the toilet: bodily waste and toilet tissue. These two substances may be readily broken down within the septic tank and will gradually decline in concentration over time if left alone. Non-biodegradable goods, on the other hand, can cause serious issues with your septic tank if they are flushed down the toilet. The flushing of objects like gum, q-tips, and paper towels down the toilet should be avoided at all costs, since these materials might clog your drainage system.

3. Avoid Using Excess Water

Whatever your situation, whether you’re living alone or with your family, it’s critical to keep track of how much water you’re consuming on a daily basis. An excessive amount of water is used, and this reduces the amount of time your septic tank has to break down solid waste. If your septic tank is overflowing with water before all of the solid waste has been broken down, the solid matter will flow into your distribution system and cause a backup.

Solid matter being introduced into your distribution pumps, which are designed to handle only liquid matter, might cause them to get blocked. You may avoid this problem by always shutting off the taps completely, taking shorter showers, and utilizing your sink water more effectively than normal.

4. Properly Cover Your Drain Field

Taking the proper steps to maintain your septic tank is not restricted to your actions within your house. To guarantee that your septic tank and drain field work properly, it is critical to grow grass over the top of the tanks and the drain field. In addition to providing a beautiful, lush grass over your drain field, it will allow oxygen to permeate the soil above your septic tank, which will aid in the breakdown of solid waste. Having concrete or asphalt over your drain field, on the other hand, will effectively seal off your septic tank from the rest of the world, making it more difficult for solid waste to decompose.

5. Have Your Septic Tank Inspected

One of the most reliable ways to ensure that your septic tank isn’t on the verge of failing is to have it examined by a qualified expert. It’s probable that you aren’t very familiar with the inner workings of your septic tank, despite the fact that you can do the examination yourself. By doing the check yourself, you run the risk of being exposed to potentially dangerous substances. We recommend that you delegate the inspection to licensed and skilled professionals who will be able to tell you whether or not your septic tank is in correct working order or requires repair.OUR EXPERT PLUMBERS ARE HERE TO HELP YOU.

Caring for Your Septic System

It is important not to flush any sort of wipe down the toilet, regardless of whether the box specifically states that they are “flushable.” These objects have the potential to block your home’s plumbing, as well as the pipes in the street and the important machinery at the wastewater treatment facility. The water in which personal care wipes, dental floss, paper towels, and tissues are flushed does not dissolve them rapidly – or at all – therefore they are not safe to flush down the toilet. Personal care items, cleaning supplies, and other home garbage should be disposed of appropriately, either in the trash, the recycling bin, or at your local domestic hazardous waste disposal facility.

1. The term “septic system” refers to an individual wastewater treatment system (conventional septic systems, innovative/alternative (I/A) systems, or cesspools) that uses the soil to treat tiny wastewater flows, which are typically generated by a single residence.
2. Septic systems are available in a variety of configurations today.
3. In a normal septic system, there are three main components: the septic tank, a distribution box, and a drainfield, which are all connected by pipes known as conveyance lines.
4. Primary treatment is the term used to describe this separation procedure.
5. Flowing from the tank into a distribution box, which distributes the wastewater uniformly into a network of drainfield trenches, is how partially treated effluent is removed from the environment.

Once in the subsurface soil, this effluent is further cleaned and filtered before being released back into the environment (secondary treatment). No pollution of groundwater occurs when the septic system is properly maintained and operated.

Additional Resources for What is a Septic System?

According to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, a properly maintained septic system should be pumped out at least once every three years! Regular maintenance is the most crucial factor in ensuring that your septic system is in good working order. Pumping on a regular basis helps to keep particles from leaking into the drainfield and blocking the soil pores. While the frequency of pumping depends on the amount of consumption, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection advises that systems be pumped at least once every three years for households without a trash disposal.

• The frequency with which you pump should be determined by the amount of water that has accumulated and the amount of water that has been pumped in the past.
• It is astounding how many system owners assume that if they have not experienced any difficulties with their systems, they do not need to pump out their tanks.
• Solid materials sink to the bottom of the tank when your system is utilized, resulting in the formation of a sludge layer.
• In most cases, correctly engineered tanks have adequate room to safely store sludge for up to three to five years at a time.
• As the amount of sludge in the system rises, more solid wastes are allowed to escape into the soil absorption system (SAS).

When hiring a pumper, be certain that they are licensed by the local Board of Health, and always insist on receiving a paid receipt from the pumper that clearly outlines the terms of the transaction and the amount you paid (how many gallons were pumped out of the tank, the date, the charges, and any other pertinent results).

In addition, a copy of this report is forwarded to the local Board of Health by the pumper.

Additional Resources for How often should I pump out my septic system?

• Once every 3 to 5 years, have the system examined and pumped out. If the tank becomes overburdened with sediments, the wastewater will not have enough time to settle before it overflows down the drain. After that, the extra solids will be carried to the leach field, where they will block the drain pipes and the soil. Always know where your septic system and drain field are in relation to your house and keep a detailed record of all inspections, pumpings, repairs, contract or engineering work for future reference. Keep a sketch of it on hand for when you go to the service center. The drain field should be planted above the septic system with grass or small plants (not trees or bushes) to help keep the system in place. Controlling runoff through imaginative landscaping may be an effective method of reducing water consumption. Install water-saving devices in faucets, showerheads, and toilets to limit the amount of water that drains into the septic system and into the environment. Replace any dripping faucets or leaking toilets, and only use washing machines and dishwashers when they are completely full. Avoid taking long showers. Roof drains as well as surface water from roads and slopes should be diverted away from the septic system. Maintain a safe distance between the system and sump pumps and home footing drains as well. Take any remaining hazardous substances to a hazardous waste collection station that has been approved by the local government. Use bleach, disinfectants, drain and toilet bowl cleaners sparingly and in line with the directions on the product labels. Only utilize septic system additives that have been approved for use in Massachusetts by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP). In Massachusetts, it has been found that the additives approved for use have no detrimental effect on the particular system or its components, or on the environment in general.

• Non-biodegradables (cigarette butts, diapers, feminine items, and so on) and grease should not be disposed of down the toilet or sink. The use of non-biodegradable materials can clog the pipes, and grease can thicken and block the pipes as well. Cooking oils, fats, and grease should be stored in a container and disposed of in the garbage
• Paint thinner, polyurethane, antifreeze, insecticides, certain dyes, disinfectants, water softeners, and other harsh chemicals should all be added to the system to ensure that it works properly. Septic tank malfunctions can be caused by the death of the biological component of your septic system and the contamination of groundwater. Typical home cleaners, drain cleaners, and detergents, for example, will be diluted in the tank and should not do any damage to the system
• And Make use of a garbage grinder or disposal that drains into the septic tank to eliminate waste. If you do have one in your home, you should use it only in extremely limited circumstances. The addition of food wastes or other solids lowers the capacity of your system and increases the frequency with which you must pump your septic tank. If you utilize a grinder, you will have to pump the system more frequently. Trees should be planted within 30 feet of your system, and vehicles should not be parked or driven over any section of the system Tree roots may block your pipes, and heavy cars may cause your drainfield to collapse
• However, you can prevent this from happening. You should not allow anybody to work on your system or pump it without first ensuring that they are licensed system specialists
• Wash an excessive number of loads of clothing in your washing machine. Doing load after load deprives your septic tank of the time it needs to properly process wastes and causes the entire system to become overwhelmed with surplus wastewater. As a result, you might be overflowing your drain field without giving yourself enough time to recover from the inundation. To calculate the gallon capacity and the number of loads per day that may be safely pumped into the system, you should speak with a tank specialist. Cleaning the plumbing or septic system using chemical solvents is recommended. Microorganisms that devour toxic wastes will be killed by “miracle” chemicals that have been developed. These items have the potential to pollute groundwater as well.

Key Actions for Septic System Do’s and Don’ts

Use your toilet or sink as a garbage can by throwing non-biodegradable items (cigarette butts, diapers, feminine products, and so on) or grease down the toilet or sink drain. Non-biodegradable substances can clog pipes, and grease can thicken and block pipes as well. Cooking oils, fats, and grease should be stored in a container and disposed of in the rubbish. Paint thinner, polyurethane, antifreeze, insecticides, certain dyes, disinfectants, water softeners, and other harsh chemicals should all be added to the system to ensure that it operates properly.

• Small amounts of common home cleaners, drain cleaners, detergents, and other products will be diluted in the tank and should not do any damage to the system.
• Even if you do have one in your home, keep its usage to a bare minimum.
• This will increase your reliance on septic tank pumping.
• Build a tree or park/drive over any portion of your system if it is within 30 feet of it.
• Anyone may come into your system and repair it or pump it without first verifying that they are licensed system specialists.
• As a result of doing load after load, your septic tank is not given enough time to appropriately process wastes, and the entire system is burdened with too much liquid waste.
• To calculate the gallon capacity and the number of loads per day that can be properly pumped through the system, you should speak with a tank specialist.

Microorganisms that ingest toxic wastes will be killed by “miracle” chemicals. It is also possible that these items will pollute groundwater supplies.

• Your failure to maintain your water system could pose a serious health hazard to your family and neighbors, degrade the environment, particularly lakes, streams and groundwater, reduce the value of your property while also being extremely expensive to repair
• And put thousands of water supply users at risk if you live in a public water supply watershed and fail to maintain your system.

Keep an eye out for the following warning signals of a malfunctioning system:

• Surface sewage over the drainfield (particularly after storms)
• Sewage backups in the home
• Lush, green vegetation over the drainfield sewage smells
• Toilets or drains that are difficult to empty

If your system fails, the first thing you should do is call your local board of health, which must authorize all modifications and the majority of repairs before they can be carried out or installed. The board of health will inform you of the steps that must be taken. In the event that your system fails, call your local Board of Health immediately!

Key Actions for Failing Septic Systems Can Be Hazardous to Your Health