Septic Tank trouble can come in a variety of forms but the most common is Septic Tank back-ups. If you have ever experienced this you know what a horrible mess it can make, not to mention the unsanitary factor! Septic Tank back-ups happen mostly because of the lack of Septic Tank knowledge i.e. how the system works & what can and cannot be flushed or washed down the drain.
How Does A Septic Tank Work?
Septic Tanks use bacteria to decompose the organic material contained within. These bacteria are fragile and without proper care they can die resulting in overload problems. Septic Tanks consist of 3 layers. The first layer is Scum that floats at the very top and consists of organic matter that bacteria will eventually turn into inert matter & "clear water". The second layer is Effluent or "clear water", this is the fluid that is diverted to your drainage field to be filtered back into the ground. Lastly Sludge makes up the bottom of your Septic Tank. This layer is where the inorganic or inert solid materials and the by-products of bacterial digestion sink to. ALL water exits your home through the Septic Tank. This is why it's so important to think about what you wash down the sink or flush down the toilet. What Types Of Things Should You Not Wash Down Or Flush?
Some stuff can clog up your tank because it cannot decompose in the septic system. These things consist of paper towels, sanitary napkins, tampons, cigarette butts, hair, cotton balls, diapers, dental floss, and cotton swabs. This is not a complete list, lots of people flush lots of things down the toilet they shouldn't but these seem to be the most common. Now to the sink, the number 1 thing you should never rinse down the sink is GREASE! People often think "it's liquid and I'm done with it, I'll just pour it down the drain." but please for the sake of your septic don't!! A good way to dispose of grease is to keep a jar under the sink and pour the grease in it when it's cool. Then when your jar is full you can either throw it in the trash or find a recycling center close to you that excepts used grease. There are many places that accept grease and make various kinds of fuel from it. Also if your washer is hooked into your septic system don't use bleach & ammonia's in your laundry and if you have to please keep it minimal. These chemicals destroy the bacteria like nothing else and soon you will find you have an overloaded system which can lead to back-ups and excessive pump outs.
Is There Some Kind of Additive That Will Help Keep My Bacteria In Healthy Population?
Yes, as a matter of fact there is! You can purchase a wide variety of Septic Tank additives online and at the store. We of course recommend R+, it's so simple and easy to use. Simply toss 1 pre-measured pouch in you toilet every month and it will boost the bacterial colonies in your Septic instantly! Each pouch contains 3 billion microorganisms that start digesting waste on contact and whole year supply costs less than $60! A small price to pay to keep your system running clean and odor free.
Do your Septic a favor and be kind to it. With proper maintenance and care your Septic System will last a very long time.
*Interested in purchasing some additives from us? Click the link and see what we have to offer!
