Preventing Plumbing Problems

Top Items To Keep Out Of Your Septic System

12 August 2018 by Calvin Simmmons

A septic system is a personalized system that relies on bacteria and microorganisms to break down debris and remove waste from water so that the water can flow back into the water table. In order for a septic system to do the very important job of filtering and cleaning your water, you need to be careful with what you put down your drains.

Personal Care Products

One of the top things that you need to keep out of your septic system are personal care products. Personal care products include items such as condoms, tampons, sanitary napkins, baby wipes, and bandages.

The personal care items listed above are too often flushed down the toilet instead of put in the trash. Although some of these products are paper-based, they don't break down in a septic tank like toilet paper does. Instead, they float on the top, and clog up your septic tank.

These personal care items should go in the trash. People are often embarrassed to put such items in the trash, which is why a trash with a lid that provides everyone with a little privacy is a good solution for your home.

Chemicals

Second, you need to keep chemicals out of your septic tanks. Chemicals can do a lot of harm to your septic tank. They can disrupt the balance of organisms in your septic tank that are necessary for breaking down waste. Chemicals are also hard to remove from the water, and can seep into and contaminate your ground water.

There are a host of chemicals that you shouldn't put down your drains. For example, in your garage sink, you should never try to rinse down automotive fluids, paints, solvents, or thinners. In your home sink, you should keep all harsh chemical cleaners away from your drains, as well as medications and drugs.

Anything with a chemical basis should stay out of your drains. When in doubt, don't rinse it down your drains. This can harm your septic tanks' ability to break down waste.

Food Waste

Third, you need to keep food waste away from your septic tank as well. With the popularity of garbage disposals, many people wrongly assume that it is okay to push lots of food waste into their septic tank. However, food waste is detrimental to your septic tank for a variety of reasons. To start with, things such as grease and oils can clog up your drainage pipes. To top it off, most food waste does not break down well in a septic tank environment, clogging up your septic tank and making it fill up faster with waste that it cannot break down.

Personal care products, chemicals, and food waste should all be kept out of your septic tank in order to protect the operation of your septic tank. Contact a septic pumping company for more help.

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