Here’s What You Should Avoid Flushing if You Have a Septic Tank

The last thing you need is expensive, needless septic tank repair. People often wonder what you should and shouldn’t flush down the toilet when you have a septic tank. You don’t need toilets backing up or other septic system problems.

Read on to find a list of things that you shouldn’t flush down the toilet when you have a septic tank.

What’s okay to flush down the toilet when you have a septic tank?

Whether you have a septic system or not, the only items you should be flushing down the toilet are toilet paper and human waste. People do flush plenty of other stuff. While this might seem fine at first, the reality is that it’s going to cause problems later on.

A septic system uses a complex process that involves healthy bacteria breaking down organic household wastewater that then releases the wastewater into the soil. If you’re flushing things down the toilet without much consideration, you’re liable to do extensive damage to the septic system and harm the environment as well.

The Environmental Protection Agency specifically mentions items that shouldn’t be flushed. Things that you shouldn’t flush down the toilet and into the septic system include:

• Kitty litter
• Paper towels
• Pharmaceuticals
• Chemicals like gasoline, pesticides, pain, antifreeze, and paint thinner
• Cigarette butts
• Coffee grounds
• Feminine hygiene products
• Baby wipes and other wet wipes
• Cooking oil and grease
• Condoms
• Dental floss
• Diapers

Can you flush Drano and similar products into the septic system?

No. Drano and other liquid products intended to be poured down the drain to remove clogs are not recommended. These products create a harsh chemical reaction. While this can serve the intended purpose of eating away at the clog of dirt, hair, etc., it can also eat through the pipes. The result is damaged toilets, damaged pipes and urgent repairs.

Remember that the septic system uses good bacteria to break down bad bacteria—but Drano kills all the bacteria and may even sterilize the leach field. This could lead to a major rehabilitation project or even replacement.

Bringing in professional specialists to remove a clog is a far smarter idea than dumping liquid chemicals down the drain. This way you ensure that your septic system is protected while still handling the immediate problem of the clogged drain. Your septic tank won’t back up, and your home’s plumbing system will work the way it should. The root of the problem may be difficult to determine, which is why it’s essential that the pros handle it.

We hope this list of things you shouldn’t flush down the toilet when you have a septic tank is helpful. B.H. Cameron Septic Services LLC has an expert team that provides a range of septic services from leach field maintenance to septic tank risers and septic plumbing. Since 2005, residential and commercial customers have trusted us to get the job done right the first time, every time. Contact us right now to set up your first appointment.

Categorised in: Septic Tank Maintenance

This post was written by Writer