What should and should not be in septic system?
I am new to having a septic system and am wondering if there is a reference list describing what should and should not be allowed to enter a septic system. In particular, is it ok to dispose of cleaning products (such as lysol), and should you not clean latex paint out of brushes and allow that to enter the septic? Any other guidance would be appreciated. Thanks!
Public Comments
- You should never flush anything other than toilet paper into your septic. Don't allow large amounts of food or other materials to go down your drain either. I have rinsed out paintbrushes and never had a problem with that. It is ok for Lysol and other cleaning products. If you are concerned, try getting one of the septic products available at Home Depot (and other such stores) to add to your septic for cleaning or maintenance.
- I don't think cleaning supplies will hurt the system. I wouldn't put paint down the drain. One major thing is, DON'T put grease of any kind in it. We treat our system with Rid-X once a month. Follow bottle directions for the size of tank you have.
- Basicly you can put anything down there on a few exceptions. Dont let your wife or daughters put tampons down there. No condoms or any rubber materials, you can put cleaners down there, even bleach, But as far as matanace there is a active yeast that they sell to put down septic systems, i forget what its called to be honest but you can pick it up at any hardware store just tell them you want a yeast treatment for your septic system... do that once or twice a year, that will ensure you that it wont back up... But anything can pretty much go down the drain, just make sure EVERYTHING is biodegradable and wont just float around down there. Bleach is ok because it wont kill off all the bacteria down there. The bacteria or yeast is essential down there, dont forget to put your yeast treatments down there :) Other then that your good to go
- Septic systems are finiky things. It depends on how old it is and how well it works. It is best to call a septic company (they nice folks that actually clean those things...yuck) and they can send you a list of what not to put down it. Some house hold cleaners are not at all good for the system, it is best to read labels...but caution, even then, it may cause a problem. Never run your washer, dishwasher or any other large appliances that have to do with water together, space out those being used. It taxes the system with too much water going into it at the same time. It's best to use liquid laundry detergents, not granular ones. Don't use the expensive "septic system helpers" they are a waste of money.
- Only three things should be flushed in your system. Water, toilet paper (not Kleenex) and body waste. The amount of cleaning supplies and paint brush cleanings is such a small amount of the amount of fluids they will not be a problem.
- septic tanks have small micro bugs that live off the waste that's put into the system. toilet paper only,don't put anything in there that the bugs cannot eat. NO cigarette butts,sanitary napkins or anything that want brakedown. Use only cleaners that don't have a antibacteria killing on the lable. so no lysol. it will kill the bugs. You might want to put a root kill into the system every few years if you have trees in the yard close to the tank. helps the field tile do its job. hope this helps.
- I do know not to flush any paper product except toilet paper down the toilet (no Kleenex/tampons). As far as in the kitchen, they make disposals specifically for septic systems. As long as you are not flushing tons of food particles down the kitchen sink drain your okay. Grease is not good either. Keep an empty jar around to dispose of grease. One of the most important things is NOT to use powdered detergents in your washer. This builds up over time and plugs everything up and your tank may not even be 1/3 full. My dad, an old timer, says to open the lid and throw a head of cabbage in the tank. This activates the stuff in the tank. Another very important thing is to not use any more bleach then necessary. This causes everything to stop the activation process. They make stuff for you to poor down into your septic but they are costly and in my opinion you don't need to use any product as long as you don't do any of the things I have mentioned. The person before me was right about Latex paints. It's okay to wash out your brushes. Cleaning supplies are okay too. But keep in mind if they have bleach you may want to dump it in the driveway outside. Your state health department may have a brochure on-line you can print. Also look in the phone book for the guys that pump septic tanks. They can maybe give you a tip or two I haven't mentioned.
