Tag Archives: Septic System Tips

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!

Winter Tips for Your Septic Tank

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  • Make sure to keep snowplows away from your tank and drainfield. The plows can compact soil or dig up the area around your system and cause damage.
  • When the temperatures drop, you may be concerned about your tank freezing. Completely avoid adding anti-freeze or any other chemicals that could harm the balance of bacteria in the tank. If your septic is used regularly throughout winter months, it will in most cases create enough heat to stay thawed. Although if we have a winter with very little snow cover to act as an insulator, it is wise to throw loose hay/straw or insulation around manhole covers and even the drainfield area or mound. Insulated covers are also available to protect against freezing.
  • If you tend to be away for long amounts of time in the winter, make sure your caretaker is aware of where the septic system is located in case of emergency.

Does toilet paper harm my septic system?

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The answer is:  The softer the toilet paper the more chemicals were used to make it soft. These chemicals can be harmful to your system’s biological activity, just like anti-bacterial soaps and other harsh chemicals are. Pick a brand of toilet paper that is in-between for softness. Look for a brand that is “Septic Safe”. These brands are normally made with fewer chemicals and are better for your septic system.