latex paint & septic systems

[44trxfun]

Being relatively new to rural home ownership, I wanted to pick your collecive brains about cleaning latex paint stuff (buckets, rollers, etc.) in a home with a septic system. We're getting ready to paint several rooms so will have more than just a little cleanup to do. Any thoughts on this concern?

 

[MikePA]

I've been cleaning brushes, etc. for years. No problems.

 

[herbenus]

I always clean mine outside. I know... The environmental police will get me now. But what's the difference. I'm sure the chemicals go right through the septic system into the ground anyway. I try to minimize the chemicals I load into septic.

 

[fivestring]

The septic tank will probably have to be pumped out one day, so, like Mike has said, go ahead. I'm sure that some chemicals we use in our septic systems are probably worse than latex.
I wouldn't put large quantities in there, though.
I rinse my brushes, rollers, etc. outside, then bring them inside to finish cleaning them.

 

[JDgreen227]

Late last fall we finished the interior of a 1450 square foot addition and during the process we used the septic system for cleaning tools and brushes of about 100 gallons of joint compound and 15 gallons of latex paint. As the tank was about due for pumping I had it done shortly afterward. Asked the serviceman if there was any problem with disposal of that kind of material, he said no, if you can clean something with water it will cause no problems with the septic system.

 

[CTyler]

I'm not sure what to think but avoided washing it into the septic as much as possible. The Motherearth site says avoid it all together. Another state/.gov site said small amounts is ok and to wash most of it into the lawn. Obviously you don't dump out a 1/2 gallon, just brush roller cleaning. about the only thing that went down the drain was the final rinsing after cleaning then in a couple 5 gal buckets.

In order to minimize waste and white dirt building our house we covered/wrapped everything when done for the day. This way you don't have to clean the brushes and rollers everyday.
If you wrap them tightly in plastic and get the air out thier good for many days. The problem usually comes from paint drying on brushes during use I.E. switching brushes, lunch, BS'ing etc..

 

[Hambone]

I have always cleaned brushes and rollers in the sink.
I guess I never thought about the enviromental issues.
What would make the difference if outside? Still going in ground. What are you supposed to do, clean in buckets, save the water till tox away day????

 

[CTyler]

The cleaning in the buckets was just to keep it out of the septic system. I wasn't sure how/if it would affect the bacteria.
We poured the bucket water on to the ground.

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( What would make the difference if outside? Still going in ground. What are you supposed to do, clean in buckets, save the water till tox away day???? )</font>

I had the same basic argument with the inspectors office about putting floor drains in my shop. What the diff if it drips oil in the shop to a pipe ouside or in the gravel drive??? That's a whole nuther issue in itself.

 

[Hambone]

<font color="red"> The cleaning in the buckets was just to keep it out of the septic system. </font>

Okay, I am with you now. Do you ever add bacteria to your system? I do, but, don't really know if it does anything. Sounds good I guess.

I understand the drain deal. We have no floor drains in our shop at work. To do so we would of had to put in a separator system. Pretty expensive.

 

[CTyler]

I haven't added anything to it, couldn't hurt though. There seems to be a lot of controversy as to wether it really helps or not.