Tag Archives: septic

Bathroom Cleaning and Septic Systems

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Bathroom Cleaning and Septic Systems

It’s always good to be aware of the products that go down your drains and the impact it can have on your septic system’s efficiency, performance, and reliability. Septic systems are designed to break down approved materials such as human waste and toilet paper, but many traditional cleaning products have the potential to damage. Here are a few natural products that are effective cleaners and won’t interfere with your septic system:

1. Epsom Salt

Mixing one cup of Epsom salt, a half-cup of baking soda, and a quarter cup of septic safe dish soap is an excellent toilet cleaning paste! Simply apply the paste to the inside of the toilet bowl and let it sit for 3 minutes. Use circular motions to lightly scrub with a cotton cloth until hard water stains and grime are gone. Finally, rinse away with warm water.

Bonus: Epsom salt contains magnesium which will encourage healthy plants around your septic drain field!

2. Vinegar

Combine one part white vinegar to one part water in a spray bottle for a completely natural cleaner! For especially tough grime, get some baking soda and sprinkle it over the area first, then spray the solution. The stain will loosen from the fizzing reaction. To add a fresh scent add a few drops of an essential oil!

3.  Products Labeled “Septic Safe”

Some people do prefer to use store-bought cleaners. As long as the product is labeled as meeting the “EPA’s Safer Choice Standard” it should be okay for your septic system. But these products should be free of phosphates, non-toxic, and should not be chlorine-based.

Three-Year Maintenance: Inspection vs. Full Pumping Service

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Have you received notice from your county that your three years are up?  Perhaps you’ve heard about companies advertising 3-year county maintenance inspections for a fraction of the cost of pumping…  There are only a few very specific situations where this would apply.  The statewide law that requires 3-year maintenance on septic systems states that the septic tank must be “less than 1/3 full of combined sludge and scum volume” in order to allow for an inspection only without pumping.  For the vast majority of our customers, this criteria is not met and so a full pumping service is performed to check the full health of the system.

Generally, a house must be vacant for the majority of those three years in order to meet this criteria, or perhaps the system is sitting unused and is currently not hooked up to any plumbing.  Any regular usage to the system will fill the septic tank with sludge and scum waste over 1/3 of the tank capacity and would therefore require pumping.  We also have seen a great benefit to emptying the tanks completely: it allows us to get a good look at the tank and entire system, ensuring all components are in place, in good condition, and doing what they should be doing.  We also clean the filter if your system has one – something not all inspectors do!  Failing to do this can result in back-up issues.

We are able to perform these inspections for the 3-year county maintenance requirement and defer the pumping when it applies.  We understand the intrigue of wanting to get by with an inspection only – give us a call to discuss if this is something that would apply to your septic system!

Can Cat Waste Be Flushed?

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While this is perhaps a common question in more urban areas, cat-owners may wonder this in rural areas as well.  There are even products out there that claim to “toilet train” your cat!

Environmental, waste disposal, and water & sewer professionals agree that flushing pet waste is not a smart idea.  An animal’s digestion and biology are of course different than a human’s, so the waste is different.  The extra usage could potentially overburden a septic system unnecessarily.  An even greater risk occurs for city-dwellers, as municipal treatment technology can’t eliminate all parasites that are carried by cats.

In an effort to keep our water safe for everyone and to keep waste-treatment systems working properly, it is recommended that cat waste not be flushed.

 

Based on the article “Cat Waste: To Flush or Not to Flush” in Pumper Magazine.

 

Landscaping Options for Your Septic Drainfield

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When it comes to landscaping around your drainfield, keep in mind the damage that roots can do.  They can get into the lines and begin to plug them, leading to serious drainage issues.  While shrubs, trees, and vines are the biggest culprits, plants & flowers should also be researched before planting near your system.  For anything being planted directly on the drainfield, you don’t want anything with a deep or wide root-system.

Below is a list of common flora that can be worth considering for planting near drainfields: Traditional lawn (seed or turf), eco-grass naturalized lawn/meadows, gladiolus, hyacinth, iris, lily, tulip, bleeding heart, forget-me-not, ferns (most), sedums, native mosses, violets, columbine, and poppies.

Slow-growing shrubs with a contained root system can usually be planted at a recommended distance from the drainfield: boxwood, rhododendron/azaleas

Trees with more vertical root growth can usually be planted at a recommended distance from the drainfield: cherry, crabapple, dogwood, maple (griseum, amur), Japanese snowbell.

Of course, this is not a full list of possible landscaping options.  When considering landscaping near your septic system, it’s a good idea to talk to an experienced landscaper and see what they suggest.  Remember, you are looking for plants and trees that don’t have wide, deep, or intrusive root-systems.

Based on the article “The Best Landscaping Options for Septic Drainfields” by Wynn Nielsen, Pumper Magazine.

A Commonly Asked Question…

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In our business, a sure sign that summer is on its way begins this time of year — homeowners start receiving notice that their septic system is due for it’s regular pumping and maintenance.  (Here in Wisconsin, each county requires systems to be pumped and visually inspected at least once every 3 years.)  That means a lot of our day is spent on the phone with our customers, scheduling their system’s pumping and answering any questions they have.

One of the most commonly-asked questions is this…  “Do I have to be home when you come to pump?”  It’s a great question that plays a big part in the scheduling process.  The short answer is: no, not usually.

Why not?  Because for this kind of service (emptying the tank(s), cleaning the filter, visually inspecting the tank(s) and drainfield, etc), the access that our technician needs is outside.  We will therefore ask for the homeowner to make sure the covers are accessible and to provide a garden hose for cleaning the filter, if applicable.  But beyond that, the technician doesn’t generally need much else from the homeowner.  When he’s done with that service, he’ll leave an invoice in the door (unless the customer specifies otherwise) and then be on his way.  This is great news for the homeowner, since he/she doesn’t need to block out part of the day to run home and wait for our technician.

That being said, we perfectly understand if a customer would like to be home when our technician arrives and we will do our best to schedule accordingly.  — And as a reminder, this is mainly just for routine maintenance.  When a homeowner calls and needs quick service due to issues with their system, we often want the homeowner to be present so the technician has access to the house if needed and to be able to answer the customer’s questions right away.

So if you are one of the many who is about to schedule a pumping for your septic system, keep these points in mind.  And don’t be afraid to bring up any questions you may have when you give your local pumper a call.

A Guide to Basic Maintenance on Septic Systems

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Part of being a homeowner is maintenance. Unfortunately a lot of homeowners forget about the maintenance on their septic systems. Here in Wisconsin, homeowners are reminded every 3 years to have their system pumped and inspected. But what can be done between pumpings to keep the septic system in good shape?  Here are some tips:

Beware of excessive water use or leaky fixtures. The more the system has to work to keep up with a home’s usage, the quicker it will need attention.

Some clean-water source hookups, such as the sump-pump, can be routed away from the septic. But make sure it doesn’t dispense near the drainfield, adding unnecessary saturation to that area.  Keep down-spouts away from this area as well.

Be aware of improper landscaping around the tanks and drainfield.  Contact a local knowledgeable landscaper and/or septic service company for suggestions on this.

Avoid excessive use of anti-bacterial cleaners and strong chemicals that find their way down the lines in the sinks, tubs, and toilets.  These affect the healthy bacteria in the septic system that it needs in order to do its job.  And also realize that medications affect the septic system too.  Using a bacterial additive for the system can be very beneficial in these situations.

Keep up with regular maintenance by a licensed pumper. They should be emptying the tanks and looking over all the components, including the drainfield or mound, to make sure all looks good.

 

Renting a Home With a Septic System

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Less traffic, more privacy, peace and quiet… and extra costs???

If you are looking to rent a home in the country — that is, away from city water — you are probably looking forward to a little more privacy and peace.  However, please keep in mind that a home away from town needs to have its own septic system or holding tank.  Be aware of this and ask your potential landlord what the arrangements will be when it comes to maintaining the system. 

If the home has a septic system (conventional, mound, etc.), it will have to be pumped every few years.  Who will pay for this service?  You or the landlord?  If problems arise and the system needs to be jetted or even replaced, how much of that cost are you responsible for?

Or if the home has a holding tank (a tank that “holds” the solid waste and water from the house) it will need to be emptied rather frequently, perhaps monthly depending on the household’s use.  Again, does the landlord expect the renter to pay for this service? 

Ask your landlord ahead of time!  Don’t go into a renting agreement without knowing this information!  It may mean extra cost that perhaps you now need to consider.  At the very least, when it is time to be pumped, your local pumper will appreciate knowing when you call from whom they will be receiving payment.

And ask them to show you in the yard where the covers are for the tanks!  This is good basic information to know. 

Fabric Softeners: Friend or Foe?

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Perhaps you’ve seen the influx of information out there about fabric softeners and their toxicity.  Have you stopped to wonder if they are also dangerous for your septic system?  Here’s something to consider: the chemicals used in these household products can kill the beneficial bacteria in your septic tank.  Not sure if you can live without the extra softness in your clothing and towels?  Try using half a cup of white vinegar (grain-derived, not petroleum-derived) per load during the rinse cycle.  This acts as a natural fabric softener.

And remember there are ways to jump-start that beneficial bacteria in your system!  Just ask us which bacterial additive we recommend and how you can get a free sample!