Category: Water Education

When you purchase a new home, it’s important to locate many useful features inside, like your electrical panel, water shut-off valve, and AC handler. However, it’s also a good idea to know the location of your sewer line, which carries wastewater away from your home. Knowing its location is extremely helpful for repairs, maintenance, and more.

What is a Sewer Line?

Every drain in your home, from your showers and toilets to your washing machine, leads to one main sewer line. The sewer line then carries wastewater to your city’s wastewater system or a septic tank on your property. Because all of your wastewater flows into your sewer line, if it is clogged or damaged, your entire plumbing system will be impacted.

Reasons for Locating Your Sewer Line

While sewer lines perform an essential plumbing task inside our homes, most homeowners do not know where their sewer line is located. However, there are a variety of reasons to know your sewer line’s location. Some of these reasons include:

• Quickly resolve plumbing issues

If you notice slow drains or even backups in your sinks or showers, this could indicate a clog or damage in your sewer line. If any of these plumbing issues are caught early, you may be able to avoid costly repairs. Occasionally, however, damage to the sewer line could quickly lead to more serious issues. When you know where your sewer line is located, you can quickly access and repair the line.

• Dig safely

Whether you are planting some new azaleas or installing a pool, there will be times when you need to dig up a section of your yard. While most sewer lines are buried at least 12 to 18 inches below ground, those depths could shift naturally over time. Before you pull out your shovel, it’s important to know where your sewer line is located. A sharp jab of the line with a shovel could be enough to rupture the pipe and lead to yard flooding.

• Easy maintenance and inspection

If your home uses a septic tank, you should be scheduling regular maintenance and inspection of your entire septic system. Knowing where your sewer line is located will save your septic technician or plumber time, and they’ll be easily able to access the line if repairs are needed.

Methods for Finding Your Sewer Line

Start with the Sewer Cleanout

The sewer cleanout is an access point for your sewer line, and it’s often easy to recognize. Many sewer cleanouts are located outside, while others are located indoors, typically in the basement, crawlspace, or garage. Look for a white pipe, about 4 inches in diameter, with a square knob on the top. Once you’ve located the cleanout, you can usually trace a line to the main municipal line or your septic tank.

Start at the End of the Line

If you know where the sewer line connects to your home, your city’s wastewater system, or your septic tank, you should be able to trace the line to its other endpoint. If you have a basement or crawlspace, you should be able to easily follow the interior pipes in your home to a single sewer line that exits the home.

Review Property Records

You likely received a copy of your property records when you purchased your home. If not, your city or county keeps records, including building permits and property diagrams. These diagrams and building permits will include the location of the sewer line on your property.

Ask the Previous Owners

If you’ve recently purchased your property, you may want to call the previous owners. Longtime owners often know the location of their sewer line. If you don’t have the previous owner’s contact information, you could also ask a neighbor. In many neighborhoods, the builder places sewer lines in similar locations for each home.

Consider Professional Assistance

When in doubt, seek the help of a professional. An experienced plumber or septic technician should be able to easily locate your sewer line. While they are there, you can even request an inspection of your septic system! Regular maintenance and inspection will reduce the risk of problems with your sewer line in the future.

Before your toddler flushes his favorite teddy bear or you start planning your dream landscape design, take the time to locate your sewer line. Find the sewer cleanout pipe in your yard or home, and then trace the line to your septic tank or street. If you can’t locate your sewer cleanout, consider checking with the city, the previous owners, or even your neighbors. If you still aren’t quite sure of its location in your yard, it’s best to call a plumber to assist you. It’s better to find your sewer line now, before a clogged pipe or a flooded lawn creates problems in the long run.

When you think of a septic system, you probably think of your septic tank and maybe even your leach field. There’s one more part of your septic system, however, that should not be overlooked. Your septic tank vent performs an important role in the process. Learn what it does, what it looks like, and how to tell if it’s working properly in your home.

What Does a Septic Tank Vent Do?

When empty, a septic tank is filled mostly with air. Once the septic system is up and running, however, the tank will quickly begin to fill with wastewater and solids, like fats, oils, and greases. As the water level in the tank rises, the air inside becomes pressurized and needs somewhere to go. A septic tank vent provides the pressurized air and gas inside the septic tank with a safe way to exit the tank.

Types of Ventilation

Some pressurized air may escape through the outlet pipes in the tank, those that take the broken-down wastewater, or effluent, out of the tank and into the drain field. However, it’s best not to rely on outlet pipes alone to vent your septic system, as their primary job is to drain wastewater, not air, from the tank.

In addition to the outlet pipe, a septic tank will need another ventilation source. The most common types of septic vents are:

Roof vents

These are the most common septic vent today. Roof vents are installed on the roof of your home and look like small, capped chimney vents. They are extremely effective at venting large amounts of gas quickly.

Yard Vents

These vents are made of PVC and installed in the yard, usually near the leach field. The PVC is often hooked at the end, like a cane, to allow the air to flow out, but not onto anyone that is walking by. Yard vents are not as effective as roof vents, but together, roof vents and yard vents can easily help maintain the pressurized balance inside the tank.

Importance of Proper Ventilation

The waste inside your tank produces gasses like methane and carbon dioxide that mix with the air. This increases the pressure inside the tank and could prevent the waste inside from flowing out. In addition, if the gasses, particularly methane, start to build up, it can become not just a health hazard, but explosive and dangerous, as well.

Signs of a Faulty Septic Vent

Foul Odors

This one is easy to notice but not fun to deal with. If you begin to smell foul odors inside your home, particularly near drains and toilets, it could be an indication that the air and gasses inside your septic tank are not venting properly.

Slow Drains

Is your shower or sink suddenly draining slowly? It could be a sign that the waste inside your tank isn’t draining properly, but it could also be the result of too much gas inside the tank.

Water Backup

This is both common and unpleasant. When wastewater begins to back up into your drains, it could be due to a faulty septic vent. Unfortunately, the water backing up into your sinks is most likely contaminated with bacteria, so it’s a good idea to take care of the problem quickly.

Visual Signs

It’s a good idea to inspect the area around your septic vents periodically. If you notice the pipes are damaged or full of debris, it’s likely that the vent isn’t functioning properly, as well.

Whatever the sign, faulty septic vents can be a serious problem. As gasses continue to build inside the tank, it could lead to damage inside, as well as pose significant health risks for your family. If you suspect that your septic vent isn’t working properly, consider calling a plumber or septic expert to quickly fix the problem.

Tips

Consider increasing the vent pipe’s height

If your septic vents are working properly but you still find yourself smelling foul odors at your backyard barbecue, you may want to consider increasing the height of your roof vent pipe. Though it may not be as aesthetically pleasing, when the top of the vent pipe is higher, the gasses and odors may stay in the natural air stream above your home and not make their way back down to ground level. Though local municipalities likely have specific guidelines to follow when it comes to roof vents, the recommended height is one to two feet above the roofline.

Prune Trees and Shrubbery

Whether you have a roof vent or a yard vent, it’s important to make sure that either is free of debris and can vent gasses properly without obstructions. Consider pruning trees that may hang over your roofline and avoid planting shrubbery too close to your yard vents. This should help them function well all year round.

Use a Bacteria Based Product

The balance of waste and gasses inside the tank is a delicate one. While this article has focused mostly on venting gasses, it’s just as important to make sure that the waste inside your tank is properly draining. This allows gasses more room to move and safely vent, as well. Consider adding a bacteria-based product to your septic tank regularly. Once the bacteria are introduced to your tank, they get to work immediately, fully digesting the waste inside, along with fats, oils, and greases. This will help maintain the natural balance in the tank and keep it functioning at peak performance.

Your septic tank vent performs an important task by releasing pressurized air and gasses from inside your septic tank. Whether you have vents on your roofline or your yard, it’s important to ensure they’re functioning properly. If you notice odors or backups coming from your septic tank, call a plumber or septic expert to look into it. In the meantime, keep the area around your septic vent free of debris, and consider using a bacteria-based product to maintain the balance of wastewater, gasses, and air inside the tank.

If you are planning to install a new septic system in your yard, you may be wondering what size tank you should purchase. Selecting the right size septic tank for your property is essential for avoiding frequent pumpings, costly repairs, and wastewater backups. While there are some basic guidelines to consider, the decision should ultimately be based on a variety of factors, including water usage, the size of your home, and government regulations.

Why Tank Size is Important

When it comes to septic tanks, size does matter. Typically, the biggest concern is with a septic tank that is too small for the household’s usage. When a tank is too small, it will fill up much quicker, requiring more frequent pumpings to maintain appropriate levels. In this scenario, the bacteria inside the tank won’t have enough time to break down the wastewater inside, including fats, oils, and greases (or FOG). If the solid waste makes it to the outflow pipe and eventually the drain field, it could create a clog or cause damage to the system. In addition, as the tank quickly fills with wastewater, some of it could begin to back up into your home’s drains and toilets.

Many homeowners decide to solve this problem by purchasing a much larger tank. While it’s certainly better to have a little more room in the tank, installing a tank that is too large could result in issues as well. Without enough wastewater cycling through the tank, the liquid inside the tank, or effluent, may not empty properly into the drain field. In addition, there may also not be enough bacteria produced inside the tank to break down the solid waste.

Basic Guidelines

You should consider a variety of factors to determine the right size tank for your home, and it’s important to have a consultation with a septic specialist before making any purchasing decisions. However, there are some industry standards to get you started:

• 750 gallon tank—1-2 bedroom home, less than 1,500 sq. ft.
• 1,000 gallon tank—3 bedroom home, less than 2,500 sq. ft.
• 1,250 gallon tank—4 bedroom home, less than 3,500 sq. ft.

Factors that Determine the Right Size Tank for Your Home

Water Usage

While each of the following factors is important to consider, the most effective way to determine the size of your septic tank is to calculate the amount of water your household uses. That’s because there is a maximum capacity inside the tank before the wastewater can make its way to the leach field. If your family tends to produce more wastewater than average, it may make sense to install a slightly larger tank than guidelines suggest.

Property Size

Some homeowners installing septic tanks may be limited by the size of their property. Consider where you’ll be placing your tank and leach field. Keep in mind that local government regulations may dictate a specific distance between your septic system and your property line. While you should certainly still install a septic tank that will hold the proper volume for your household’s water usage, you may not have room for a substantially larger tank.

Number of Bedrooms and Occupants

According to the United States Geological Survey, the average American uses 80-100 gallons of water a day, and the more people that live in a home, the more wastewater is produced on a daily basis. That’s why the number of bedrooms in your home should be taken into account when selecting your septic system. If the tank is too small to hold the wastewater used by your family, it could begin to back up into your home’s sinks, toilets, and showers.

Government Regulations

Regardless of what size tank you think is best, it’s important to check your local government’s regulations. Each locality sets codes based on things like soil quality and the water table, so even if you’ve installed a septic tank in another home recently, the guidelines could be different. These regulations will also determine where you can install the tank and leach field on your property. Failing to follow these regulations could result in fines and additional costs to relocate your septic system.

The Importance of Regular Maintenance

Once you’ve selected and installed the right septic tank for your needs, it’s important to set up a regular maintenance schedule. While selecting a smaller tank could require you to pump your tank more frequently, every tank should be pumped periodically, regardless of size. Typically, you can expect to have your septic tank pumped every three to five years.

In addition to scheduling regular pumpings, you may also want to consider adding a bacteria-based product monthly. When the bacteria are introduced to the septic tank, they get to work immediately to completely digest fats, oils, and greases inside the tank. This could not only reduce the frequency of your pumpings, but the likelihood of clogs and damage to your leach field, as well.

Selecting the Right Size Septic Tank for Your Property

Septic tanks are not a one-size-fits-all solution. In fact, many factors should be considered when determining what size septic tank you need, including the amount of water your household uses, along with the size of your home and property. Be sure to consult local regulations, as well, to ensure that your tank meets government guidelines. Once your septic system is installed, schedule regular pumpings and use a bacteria-based product monthly to keep your system running effectively for years to come.

If you’re a homeowner with a septic tank, you may be wondering if you can have a garbage disposal as well. While it’s possible to install a garbage disposal in a home with a septic system, it’s not recommended. Why? There are extra costs, maintenance, and possible repairs to your system when garbage disposals are in use. If you choose to use a disposal, follow these tips to minimize problems with your septic system in the future.

Why a Garbage Disposal isn’t the Best Option

Out of sight, out of mind, unless of course, you have a septic system. That’s because everything that is dumped down your drains or flushed down your toilet ends up in your septic tank. Once inside the tank, wastewater solids, or sludge, sink to the bottom. Then bacteria gets to work breaking down the organic matter inside.

When you install a garbage disposal in your sink, you end up disposing of significantly more food waste into your septic tank. While the disposal does break down the size of the food first, the bacteria inside the tank must still work to digest it. If the tank becomes overloaded with food waste, the sludge level rises. Not only does this decrease the capacity of your tank, it could also cause solid material to make its way to the outlet pipe, where it could clog the drain pipes.

Anyone that owns a septic tank can expect to have it pumped every three to five years, but when a garbage disposal is in use, you’ll likely need to pump your tank more frequently to avoid damage to your system. In fact, you can expect to have your septic tank pumped twice as much as homes that are not using a garbage disposal.

Helpful Tips for Using a Garbage Disposal with a Septic System

Sometimes, homeowners find the convenience of a garbage disposal outweighs the downsides. If you ultimately decide to install a garbage disposal, there are some things you can do to help your entire septic system run more smoothly.

Limit What Goes Down the Drain

Not all foods and waste should make their way into your septic tank. When considering which food and waste to dispose of in your sink, stick to soft foods and non-dairy liquids that can be more easily broken down inside the tank, like the flesh of soft fruits and vegetables, ice cubes, and biodegradable dish soaps.

Avoid fruit pits, tough skinned vegetables, and onion skins. Eggshells, nuts, meat, and bones are difficult for the bacteria in your tank to digest, as well. Surprisingly, soft foods like rice, pasta, and oats should also be avoided, because they can expand in water and lead to clogged pipes. Non-organic items like paper towels should never make their way into a septic system either.

Consider using a simple sink strainer that sits down in the sink. These strainers are extremely inexpensive and easy to clean out. This will prevent most foods and wastes of a larger size from making it down the drain. 

Use Cold Water

Food waste is more likely to clog your drain or pipes when warm water is used. Instead, flush your drain pipes with cool water before you turn on your garbage disposal. Then continue to run cold water down the drain until all food waste has passed through the disposal.

Keep Up with Routine Maintenance

This is critical for all septic systems, but especially if you also use a garbage disposal. Be sure to have your tank inspected regularly, and schedule more frequent pumpings to ensure the sludge level in your tank doesn’t rise to unsafe levels. You may also want to consider adding a monthly bacteria-based product. The addition of healthy bacteria will speed up the breakdown of sludge and waste, which will help your septic tank run more efficiently and may reduce the frequency of septic tank pumping as well.

Garbage Disposal Alternatives

Whether you are looking to reduce your garbage disposal use or you have opted not to use one at all, you may be looking at convenient alternatives. First, consider adding a drain strainer to your sink. This is the best way to collect food particles before they make their way down the drain and eventually into your septic tank. As noted above, these can be used with or without a garbage disposal.

You can certainly slip your food waste into the regular trash can, but you may also want to consider composting it. This environmentally friendly option turns fruit and vegetable peels, egg shells, coffee grounds, and other food waste into nutrient rich composting soil for your lawn or garden. You can purchase a composting bin for your yard, or for ultimate convenience, you can choose a countertop composter that stays in your kitchen.

Considering a Garbage Disposal with Your Septic Tank?

While it’s possible to use a garbage disposal if you have a septic tank, most homeowners choose not to do so. Why? Because more food waste in the septic tank can lead to more problems with the septic system. Instead of dumping food waste down the drain, consider composting it. However, if you do choose to install a garbage disposal, stick to soft fruits and vegetables without peels, flush your drains with cold water, and perform regular maintenance. Consider using a bacteria-based product, as well, to help the waste inside the tank break down more quickly. These tips will help keep your septic system functioning properly for years to come.

When you were shopping for an RV or camper, you were probably focused on the number of beds, the style of the kitchen, or even the size of the shower. All of these things are an important part of the camping experience, but don’t overlook another essential feature: the holding tank. If it’s working properly, you may even forget about your holding tank, but if it’s not, your RV may not be filled with happy campers. It’s critical to maintain your RV holding tank while you’re out on the road, and BioOne can help.

How to Care for Your RV Holding Tank

At home, what you flush down the toilets and pour down your drains might seem like an “out of sight, out of mind” process. Unfortunately, that’s not the case with your RV or camper toilets and drains, where everything flows into one or two holding tanks with limited capacity. Whatever winds up in the tanks, from wastewater to food scraps, must be dumped from the tanks periodically to avoid back-ups and foul odors.

In order to care for your RV holding tank, you need to be mindful of what ends up in it. When the wrong things make their way into the tank, they can cause clogs and a host of other issues. Be sure to flush only waste, wastewater, and toilet paper down your camper toilets. Things like paper towels, baby wipes, and feminine hygiene items should be thrown away instead. When it comes to your sink drains, stick to water and gentle soaps. Even anti-bacterial soaps or cleaners can throw off the natural balance of the tank and slow the breakdown process.

Your holding tanks will need to be dumped regularly. The exact frequency will be determined by a variety of factors, including the size of the tanks and the number of people using the RV kitchen and bathrooms. As a general rule, though, it’s a good idea to dump your tanks every 4 to 5 days, or when your tank reaches two-thirds capacity. If you need to dump your RV holding tanks before they are filled, add some water to the tank to allow the solids to be flushed away easier.

Flushing your tank helps remove build-up inside it, and it’s just as important as regular dumpings, though it’s not needed as frequently. Consider doing a full tank flush to loosen caked-on waste and debris after every 3 to 5 dumpings.

Why is BioOne a Good Product for Your Tank?

Usually, when it comes to tackling tough cleaning projects, we reach for harsh chemicals. They aren’t the best choice for your RV holding tank, though. When you use caustic cleaners to scrub your camper’s sink or toilet, those chemicals will eventually make their way into your holding tanks, where they will kill off the good bacteria inside.

When the bacteria is no longer present, the waste inside won’t break down quickly. You’re likely to experience foul smells, and you’ll need to dump your tank more often as well. Any harsh products, including cleaners like bleach and ammonia, and other liquids like alcohol should be avoided if possible.

Instead, opt for natural cleaning methods, and be sure to add a bacteria-based product like BioOne to your tanks regularly. Rather than kill off the bacteria inside, when you flush BioOne, it will introduce new bacteria to your holding tank. Once inside, the bacteria will get right to work breaking down and fully digesting the waste inside. The result is a reduction in odors and more time between dumpings for your RV or camper holding tank. (Note, BioOne comes in gallon sizes as well as a dry formula).

Using BioOne in your RV Holding Tank

Whether you’re a weekend camper or a full time RV-er, caring for your RV holding tank should be a high priority. Start by switching up some habits. Avoid flushing anything but wastewater and toilet paper down your toilet, and keep harsh cleaners out of your sink drains too. Dump your tank when it’s about two-thirds full, and consider flushing the holding tank after every 3 to 5 dumps, as well. Using a bacteria-based product will help maintain the natural balance of the tank and may even reduce the frequency of dumpings. The next time you hit the road, bring some BioOne with you to keep your holding tank well maintained throughout your trip and into the future.

Over the past few years, the RV lifestyle has continued to gain popularity, and not just for vacationers. Rather than taking week-long trips to state parks, many are now embarking on full-time life on the road. With so many new campers pulling up to your dump stations, it’s important to make sure they are functioning properly. Otherwise, you won’t just have a big mess on your hands, but some unhappy campers, too! Fortunately, it’s fairly easy to keep your septic system functioning properly, as long as you institute some safe septic habits.

Things that may Harm Campground Septic Tanks

Your dump station and septic system are designed to effectively break down solids in wastewater, but some things cannot be so easily broken down. While it’s likely that things like baby wipes, paper towels, and food scraps will make their way down the tanks of campground visitors, there’s a chance that doing so could cause damage to your septic system as a whole.

Unlike wastewater and some types of food scraps, these things cannot be broken down in the tank. Instead, they float in the wastewater and could easily find their way into the leach pipes that remove the water from the tank and disperse it in the drain field. Fortunately, many experienced RVers know that flushing things down the toilet or pouring grease down the drain isn’t good for their tank or your dump station. However, it’s wise to make sure that all campers have easy access to trash cans or dumpsters, especially at the dump site, to discourage flushing anything away.

Your septic system relies on bacteria within the tank to break down the wastewater inside. Harsh chemicals in RV toilets, showers, and sinks, as well as products used to clean and sanitize the dump station itself, have the potential to kill off the good bacteria in the tank. This leads to more frequent tank pumpings and potential clogs in the leach field.

Bacteria-based cleaners have the opposite effect on the tank. Rather than killing off the bacteria inside, they add bacteria into the tank. As soon as the new bacteria is introduced, it goes right to work fully digesting wastewater—including fats, oils, or greases (FOG)—inside the tank. With the frequent use of bacteria-based products, you can actually reduce the frequency of pumpings your dump station will need over time and decrease the likelihood of clogging the system. Unfortunately, you can’t control the cleaning products your visitors use inside their campers, but you can add bacteria-based products directly into your dump station to promote healthy bacteria growth inside your septic tank.

How to Properly Maintain Campground Septic Systems

Even with the best septic habits, increased use of the dump station will require frequent cleaning of the septic tank. This is especially true during your busy season, when the tank may become overloaded with continued use. If this happens, you may notice backups in the system or a strain on the drain field. Check sludge levels often, and be sure to have the tank pumped when the levels rise to capacity or dip lower toward the drain outlet pipe.

The dump station and septic system rely on an effective leach field to function properly. So, when the leach field and drain pipes are damaged, it could result in major issues and costly repairs. You may even need to shut down your dump station for a time, which could directly impact your visitor experience.

To prevent issues in your leach field, protecting the area should be a top priority. While walking over the leach field won’t cause any damage to the system, driving or parking vehicles, especially RVs and travel trailers, could result in broken drain pipes. Be sure to close the area off to vehicles and heavy machinery.

Planting trees or bushes around the septic system can also lead to damage. Even if something isn’t planted directly over the leach field, roots of nearby trees and bushes could grow into the system over time. Consider removing existing vegetation around the tank, as well, to reduce the risk of breakage in the future.

Maintaining your Campground Septic System

It’s probably not the most exciting feature of your campground, but the dump station plays an important role in the camp experience. Be sure it’s functioning properly by following a few simple tips. Flushing anything but wastewater and septic-safe toilet paper can lead to clogs in the septic system, so encourage campers to throw away trash, rather than flush it. Add good bacteria to the tank often to aid in the breakdown of waste and FOG, and pump the tank when sludge levels rise. Protect the area around the septic system and leach field, as well, to keep everything functioning properly. These tips will keep your campers happy for years to come!

If you own a home with a septic system, you’re well aware of the objects that shouldn’t go down the drain. Paper towels, for instance, won’t break down and could easily clog your pipes, and pouring grease down the drain could have similar results. Did you know, though, that cleaning products, from laundry detergents to toilet bowl cleaners, could also damage your septic tank and leach field? Knowing which cleaning products to use—and which ones to avoid—is essential for maintaining your septic system.

Types of Cleaning Products to Avoid

The sludge inside your septic tank should be broken down before it makes its way through the outlet pipe and into the leach field. To do this, the septic system is designed to utilize bacteria within the tank. Unfortunately, many cleaners that may be safe to use in other households will destroy bacteria in your tank, making it difficult for waste to break down and increasing the likelihood of clogs.

Bleach, for instance, is a disinfectant, which means it’s designed to kill bacteria. That may sound ideal for scrubbing a dirty toilet, but once it’s flushed down, the bleach will begin to kill off the good bacteria in your tank. Ammonia is another popular cleaner that is not recommended for use in homes with septic tanks.

Drain cleaner is another culprit for killing off good bacteria. While it can be frustrating to deal with a clogged drain, reaching for a powerful drain cleaner could cause more frustration once it reaches your septic tank. In addition to throwing off the natural balance within the tank, foaming cleaners can actually do damage to the tank itself as well. One good rule of thumb is that if you need to wear gloves to handle the product, it probably isn’t safe for your septic system.

Types of Cleaning Products to Use

If you’re wondering about the safety of a particular store-bought cleaner, check the labeling. Most septic-safe cleaners include a logo to indicate they can be used in homes with septic systems, though even if something is considered safe, it still may not be the best choice. Instead, take a look at the ingredients list. If the first thing listed is water, it’s likely safe to use. Many disinfectants, bathroom cleaners, and even laundry detergents are now water-based.

You may actually have several septic-safe cleaners in your home, without needing to go to the store. Natural cleaners are not only good for the environment, they are effective and safe for your septic system as well. You’ve probably heard of using white vinegar and baking soda, but lemon juice, salt, and even borax have natural cleaning properties that won’t kill off the good bacteria in your septic tank.

Fortunately, there is another option that isn’t just safe for septic tanks, but beneficial too. Bacteria-based cleaning products introduce more good bacteria into your septic tank. Once inside, the bacteria get to work to completely digest fats, oils, and greases, or FOG, inside the tank. Think of it as a probiotic for your septic tank, as it helps to maintain a healthy balance of bacteria in the tank and keeps the system functioning properly.

Why it’s Important to Select Septic Safe Cleaning Products

Solid waste, including FOG, creates a layer of sludge that floats at the top of the tank. When there aren’t enough good bacteria to completely digest this layer of sludge, it could make its way into the outlet pipe that leads to your leach field, clogging the pipe and causing damage to the entire system. You’ll also need to pump your septic tank more frequently to remove the growing sludge layer.

One more reason to consider the cleaning products you use is the environmental impact. Everything that is flushed or poured down the drain will make its way to your tank, and then eventually to your leach field and yard. The tank will not filter out chemicals and toxins, so those, too, will filter into your yard, which may be a concern for your family and pets. On the contrary, natural and bacteria-based cleaning products are safe for everyone.

Don’t Damage Your Septic Tank with the Wrong Cleaners

As you select septic-safe toilet paper and avoid dumping coffee grounds down the drain, consider your cleaning products as well. Harsh chemicals like bleach and ammonia will kill off important bacteria and allow sludge to build up in your tank. They’ll also eventually leach into your yard. Instead, purchase water-based cleaners, or, better yet, make your own from natural products. Then, add good bacteria to your tank by using a bacteria-based product. They will then safely begin to break down the solid waste and FOG inside the tank, which will reduce the likelihood of clogs and may even allow you to pump your tank less frequently. Opting for safe cleaning products will help your septic system operate properly for years to come.

     Most homeowners will experience a clogged drain from time to time, whether they have a septic system or not. The solution, however, may not be the same for everyone, especially those with septic tanks. Many commercial chemical drain cleaners say on their label that their product is safe to use with septic systems, but should you really be pouring it down your drains? You should probably consider other options. Read on to learn more.

How Your Septic Tank Functions

     When you flush your toilets or wash your dishes, wastewater flows through your home’s pipes and into your septic tank. There, bacteria break down the solid waste, including fats, oils, and greases (or FOG). Liquid waste then continues through drain pipes and into the leach field. When bacteria aren’t present to break down the solid waste, it will build up and eventually need to be pumped to avoid clogs in the leach field or sewage backups in your home.

Are Commercial Chemical Drain Cleaners Safe for your Septic Tank?

     Commercial chemical drain cleaning products often advertise that they are septic safe, but experts disagree with their safety. In fact, Craig Mains, an Engineering Scientist at the National Environmental Services Center strongly discourages the use of these cleaners in homes with septic systems. He states, “Using commercial chemical drain openers to unclog drains is not recommended for homes that are on septic systems.”

     That’s because the ingredients in these chemical cleaners are dangerous to the natural balance of your septic tank. Ingredients like bleach, lye, aluminum, and salt are used in these products to create a chemical reaction that eliminates clogs in your pipes. Unfortunately, when these components make their way into your septic tank, they immediately begin to kill off essential bacteria. All it takes is half an ounce to destroy the bacteria, but these product labels recommend using 16 ounces or more to clear a clog!

     While your clog may be resolved through the use of these chemical cleaners, the problem will now move to your septic tank. Without bacteria there to fully digest sludge and FOG, the waste in your tank will accumulate, but not be able to exit the tank and flow into your leach field. Solids that do make it into the leach system could create clogs that require costly repairs. You may also begin to notice sewage backing up into your home.

Safe Methods for Unclogging Drains

Fortunately, there are a number of safe ways to unclog a drain that will not cause damage to your septic tank:

• Use a plunger: If you are using the plunger somewhere other than a toilet, like a bathtub or sink, find the overflow hole and cover it with a washcloth before plunging.
• Pour boiling water down the drain: Small clogs, especially those caused by soap or grease, can often be easily cleared with boiling water.
• Use baking soda and vinegar: This method employs a chemical reaction like the commercial drain cleaners, but the ingredients will not kill off the bacteria in your septic tank! Pour a cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by a cup of vinegar. Cover the drain and wait 30 minutes before flushing with hot water. 
• Manually clear the clog: Stubborn clogs may require a little elbow grease. A barbed wand or a plumber’s snake can often help dislodge the clog and allow wastewater to flow freely again. If none of these methods work to clear your drain, it’s likely time to call a plumber.

Maintaining Your Septic System

     Dealing with clogs can be a pain, but there are things you can do to maintain your septic system now and avoid costly repairs later. First, be mindful of what you put down the drain or flush down your toilets. Don’t dispose of oils and greases in the kitchen sink, and only flush waste and toilet paper. Even flushable wipes should be avoided when you have a septic system.

     To keep your septic system functioning at peak performance, use an all-natural bacterial-based product regularly. When additional bacteria are introduced to your tank, waste and FOG will be more easily digested, reducing clogs and issues elsewhere in your septic system. You may also be able to go longer periods between pumpings. However, it’s always a good idea to have your septic system inspected once a year.

What Goes Down the Drain Matters

     A clogged drain can be frustrating. Commercial chemical drain cleaners may seem like a quick fix, but it’s likely to cause more problems in the long run. Your septic tank relies on bacteria to break down and fully digest solid waste, but the ingredients in these products actually kill off the bacteria before they can do their job. Instead of reaching for chemical-based cleaners, try using a natural method. Then create healthy septic habits, like watching what you put down the drains, and having your septic system inspected yearly. Be sure to use a bacteria-based product regularly as well, to promote the natural balance of your septic tank and keep it running efficiently all year long.