What Is Going Down Your Drains?

When it comes to septic problems, the trouble may start in your home. Septic systems can perform without much assistance when they have the right elements in place. The most common problems occur from what goes down the drains in the home, creating clogs and other issues. Here are how some of the items that go down drains can interfere with your septic system.

Grease, Fats and Oils

Fatty substances are bad for your plumbing and even worse for your septic system. Too many fats, grease or oil can impact the balance of your septic tank. Grease and oily substances float to the top of the tank and can interfere with the breakdown and elimination process.

Plastic, Cotton and Paper Products

Plastic, rubber or cotton should never go down the drain. Most of this occurs in the toilets of your home. Paper and cardboard are also a bad idea. The only paper that should be flushed is toilet paper, and the less the better. This includes those “flushable” wipes that do not breakdown in a septic tank. All these items can create clogs and will fill up your tank faster.

Kitchen Culprits

On top of fats and grease, other kitchen culprits include:

  • Coffee grounds
  • Egg shells
  • Vegetable/fruit peels
  • Fibrous vegetables

Throw these items away or put them in a compost to keep them out of your septic system.

Chemicals and Medications

Chemicals can change the balance of bacteria and microbes in your septic tanks that are needed for proper waste breakdown. Medications like antibiotics can also impact this balance, and pills can get stuck in drain field pipe perforations.

Watching what goes down the drain can reduce how often you need your septic tank pumped and how frequently you have problems. Preventive measures and regular service from your local septic service can minimize issues and keep your septic system running smoothly.

Posted on behalf of:
Kiddco Plumbing Inc
Sterling, VA 20166
(703) 435-4441

What Are ‘Septic Safe’ Products?

If you have a septic system, there is a good chance you have heard that certain items should not be put down your drains. Keeping plastic, cotton and other non-biodegradable items out of your septic tank is important to reduce the possibility of clogging your septic filter and to reduce the frequency of septic tank pumping. However, even the items you use every day in your showers, sinks and toilets should be tailored to your septic system. Here is what ‘septic safe’ products are and why you should use them.

Toilet Paper

One of the main products you use every day that ends up in your septic system is toilet paper. Not all toilet paper is made the same and some brands do not breakdown as easily. Choose toilet paper that specifically says it is ‘septic safe’ or designed for septic systems.

Household Cleaners

You may not want bacteria in your home, but you do want them to thrive in your septic tank. Bacteria are what breakdown your solid waste and allow it to become effluent that is filtered back into the ground. Certain cleaners can kill bacteria, harming the bacterial balance in your septic tank.

However, you can still have a clean home and protect your septic system. There are many septic-safe products for cleaning, from soaps and detergents to toilet cleaners and dish soaps. Many use natural ingredients that are effective for cleaning but won’t harm the bacteria in your septic tank.

Drain Cleaners

Too much bleach or even small amounts of drain cleaners can be harmful to your septic system. There are drain cleaners or clog removers that do not use chemicals and are considered septic-safe, which are a better choice if you must use a liquid clog remover.

Using septic-safe products can help protect your septic system. When combined with regular service and pumping from your septic professional, these products can help extend the life of your septic system for many years.

Posted on behalf of:
Bynum & Sons Plumbing, Inc.
2120 McDaniels Bridge Rd SW
Lilburn, GA 30047
(770) 736-8283

Holiday Septic System Reminders

As the busy holiday season approaches, there are a few things to keep in mind if you own a home with a septic system. If you will be hosting large family dinners, parties or other festivities, your septic system needs to be ready for the extra work. Fatty foods going down the drain, excessive toilet use and other pressures could cause a nasty septic problem if you are not prepared. Here are a few reminders to get your septic system ready for the holidays.

  • Minimize the fat and grease. Be careful when rinsing plates and pans during the holidays. Gravy and other fatty foods that go down the drain can cause issues in your drains, pipes and septic tank. Scrape excess food and fat off plates before rinsing them in the sink.
  • Remind your guests of septic rules. If you have guests visiting your home during the holidays, put a friendly reminder in the guest bathrooms that you have a septic system. Guests that are accustomed to using a city sewer may forget what they can and cannot flush down the toilet with a septic system.
  • Have a pre-holiday septic service performed. Minimize the possibility of a septic problem during the holidays with a pre-holiday service. Make sure to have your tank level checked – if it is even close to needing pumping, have it done before you have extra guests to your home.

No one wants a septic problem to ruin their holiday season. Being prepared for the excess use is the best way to avoid backups or other issues. Call your local septic service for an inspection now before the busy season arrives.

Posted on behalf of:
Septic Service Pro, LLC
Peachtree Street NW
Atlanta, GA 30334
(678) 292-8728

Be Green and Preserve Your Septic System

Everyone is aware of the push to make green decisions; from the products we buy to the items we throw away. Being green is about not hurting the environment we will live by reusing, recycling and reducing waste. This means using products that are safe for the environment and preserving natural resources like water. But did you know that when you think green, you are also preserving your septic system? Here are a few ways that being green is good for your septic system.

  • Natural products. One way to be green is to use natural products that are not made with harsh chemicals that are hard on the environment. This is also great for your septic system! Many natural products for personal hygiene and household cleaners are made from plants and other benign ingredients that are gentle on your septic system.
  • Using less water. Cutting down on water waste by using water-efficient fixtures and appliances cuts down the load on your septic system. Too much water can dilute your system and the bacteria needed to break down solids in your septic tank.
  • Composts. Creating a compost pile is a great way to make your own fertilizer and save your septic system. How? By consciously putting all food items into your compost pile, you are keeping them out of your drains. There is no need for a garbage disposal if you are composting and that is a good thing for your septic system!

Keep your septic healthy by being green around your home. By reducing waste, you can extend the life of your septic system, especially when combined with yearly maintenance from your local septic service company.

Posted on behalf of:
Bynum & Sons Plumbing, Inc.
2120 McDaniels Bridge Rd SW
Lilburn, GA 30047
(770) 736-8283