Want A Healthy Septic System? Keep These Things Out Of It!
As environmental regulations have increased over the years, the cost for septic tank pumping companies to dump their septic loads has greatly increased all over the county. Since increases in septic dumping costs are passed along to consumers, it's common to see much higher pump out costs today than even just a few years ago.
Thankfully, you can proactively prevent the need for septic tank pumping by keeping harmful things out of the system altogether.
If you aren't sure which items are dangerous for your septic system, then listed below are the most common culprits:
Indigestible Solids and Starchy Foods
Some foods and other solids disposed of in your kitchen are never digestible by septic tank bacteria. For example, putting eggshells, coffee grounds, or ground-up animal bones down the sink will result in materials in the tank that won't ever leave until pumped. For this reason, don't ever use a garbage disposal with a septic tank. Instead, opt for the trashcan or compost pile for all kitchen trash.
While you may not think of edible foods, such as rice or potatoes, as being things that can damage a septic system, they absolutely are. In fact, all starchy foods and those containing flours of any kind are horrible for a septic tank. Starch introduced into a septic tank will collect into a massive ball of goo. This substance will fill up the tank and eventually lead to clogged leach lines.
Non-Human Waste Bathroom Trash
To proactively keep your septic system healthy, only flush human waste products and a septic-safe toilet paper down the toilet. Any other solid materials put down the toilet will linger inside of the septic tank until they are pumped out!
Bathroom trash you should never flush includes; feminine hygiene products, wet wipes, and dental floss.
Paints, Chemicals, and Cleaners
Though you obviously need to clean your sinks and toilets, it's important you don't use things that are toxic to the health of your septic tank to do the job.
While household cleaners and bleach products won't clog the tank, they do kill off the bacteria your tank needs to digest solid materials. If the bacteria die, then other solid materials won't be properly digested and this can lead to system clogs.
Finally, it's vital you keep paint, paint thinner, and stains out of your household drains. Clean all of your paintbrushes and other painting supplies in a bucket rather than your household sinks.
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