Your septic system is more sensitive than you might think. There are three household items that can damage it beyond repair and what’s worse is you might not realize you’re flushing these things down the drains and toilets. If you are allowing these things into your septic system, you’ll be calling Express Septic Services sooner rather than later because your system will clog or otherwise fail. Whatever you do, try to avoid introducing the following three things to your septic system.
1. Grease/Oil
Grease and oil not only clog your drains they also clog your septic system. Solids settle into the tank and grease and oil are not solid. They get trapped in your household plumbing and the septic drain field. You may pour your grease and oil into jars and throw them in the trash but what about your dishes? Do you wash them in the sink or put them in the dishwasher with the grease and oil on them? Wipe them down with a paper towel first to remove as much grease or oil as possible.
2. Non-Septic Safe Items
Your toilet is not a garbage receptacle. The only thing that should be flushed down the toilet is human waste and septic-safe toilet paper. Anything else, including facial tissue, feminine products, condoms, cigarette butts, cat litter, baby wipes – you name it! – should not be flushed down the toilet, even if they say on the packaging that they are septic safe. Rule number one in the bathroom: Don’t flush anything down the toilet except human waste and septic-safe toilet paper.
3. Hazardous Chemicals
Finally, we know we’ve talked about all this in previous blog posts but it all bears repeating. Hazardous chemicals, such as bleach, drain cleaners, household cleaners, and insecticides, among other things, should not be flushed down the toilets or poured down the drains. If you ask in frustration what you should use to clean your house and laundry, check out our previous blog post on this topic. Your septic system uses good bacteria to treat waste; hazardous chemicals kill that bacteria.
We are Express Septic Services and we’re located in Greenville, SC. We install, maintain, and repair septic systems. If you’re concerned that you’ve damaged your septic system by flushing things down the toilets and drains that you shouldn’t have, call us today for an inspection. Our number is 864-302-1810 and we’d be happy to come out and take a look.
