Talk to any septic repair service technician, and they will likely have humorous stories of items they’ve found in septic systems. Of course, these stories are only funny if you’re not the homeowner paying the service bill. Although you may be aware of the more common items which should not go down your drains or be flushed, sometimes it’s the uncommon items that can be the biggest problem.
Items That Are Found In Septic Tanks
Anything which is not biodegradable should not be going into your septic system. Even some food items, like fibrous vegetables, grease and egg shells, should stay out of your garbage disposals and your septic tank. However, there are some items which still find their way into the septic tank, usually through the larger drain in your toilet, such as:
- Toys. Kids love to play with toys in water, even if that water is in the toilet. It can be even more fun to watch rubber ducky disappear down the funnel, into your plumbing and eventually to the septic tank. Make sure the kids in your home are educated about what can and what cannot go into the toilet.
- Personal items. Birth control devices and feminine hygiene products are often found in full septic tanks, in larger quantities than you would think. These personal items can quickly clog and cause other problems in the system.
- Washcloths. You would not think that towels or washcloths would make it into the toilet, yet they do on a fairly common basis. Needless to say, these items will quickly cause problems in your septic system.
The best way to avoid these issues is to educate your family, friends and guests about what can be flushed down the toilet. Creating a friendly reminder sign for your bathroom, especially when you have multiple guests, may help remedy the problem.
Posted on behalf of Find Local Sewer Septic
