Septic System Question

[thatguy]

We are now living on a septic system and I am trying to be careful about what we put down the drains.. A friend (whos husband is a Master Plumber) told me that anti-bacterial soap is really, really bad for the system..

It seems like most, if not almost all, soaps are anti-bacterial these days.. Would these soaps cause problems in the breakdown of the solids?

Any comments?

 

[RonMar]

In my experience, I would think it only a problem if really used to excess. Do you do laundry with the waste water being used in the washer going into your system? The chlorine in the laundry detergent and the bleach used to "brighten your whites" will probably do more harm than the ammount of antibacterial soap that makes it down the drain. Remember the system gets fresh biomass and bacteria every time you flush. My current septic has been in for over 5 years with 3-4 people in the house. I sounded the buildup layer last year and it still has plenty of room and it is still breaking down nicely. Probably a bigger problem for a septic is too much water flow thru it. This excess flow disturbes the delicate upper and lower layers and transfers material to the outflow pipe before it has a chance to settle. The outflow has a screen mesh filter on it(or should have) to prevent these particles from flowing on into the drainfield and clogging the soil forcing replacement. It is better to clog the filter than the drainfield. This will cause the system to back up. This makes for a perfect episode for "Dirty jobs" pumping out the water of a backed up system and cleaning the outflow filter. If your system were not breaking down properly, I think it likley that more particulate matter would be making it's way to the outflow filter. I would check and make sure you have a filter as it is far better to clean a filter than have to dig up and replace a clogged drainfield. If you start to experience system backups then you have too much flow or the biologic portion of the system is failing, or the tank is full.

 

[schmism]

when talking to the septic guy in my area when he was bidding my system, said the single worst thing for septic systems was a washing machine.

especially if you save up all the laundry and do 18 loads sat morning before noon.

Im considering a seperate grey water system for the washer for this reason.

 

[DieselPower]

My washer, showers and sinks in my house go to a gray water pit out in the back field. I also treat my septic system 2 or 3 times a year with a bacteria additive.

 

[Highbeam]

The plumber was surely a nice guy. But he's a plumber. Antibacterial soap will not hurt your septic system when used as would be expected in a typical home. You do not need to add any special additives to your system. What has been proven are things like liquid soaps are better than powder and garbage disposals add too much solid matter.

Don't touch my dial.

Oh and I strongly agree with Ronmar that all systems should be equipped with an effluent filter to screen out any junk from heading to your drainfield. I would rather the system back up and pour sewage out into my lawn through the loosened clean out cap (also highly recommended) than to ruin my expensive drainfield with solids.

 

[Piperflyer]

Should you add anything to the system like rid x or doesn't it help?

 

[DieselPower]

The stuff I dump into and flush down my toilet has bacteria strains that deal with the following.

Protein digesting
Starch digesting
Cellulose digesting
Fat, grease digesting
Surfactant digesting
Hydrocarbon digesting
Phenol digesting

Total bacteria count 14 million/gram

I dump in about a quart 2-3 times per year. Last time I had my septic tank pumped it didn't even really have a smell to it and the honey dipper truck operator said I didn't really even need it pumped.

 

[dbdartman]

The stuff I dump into and flush down my toilet has bacteria strains that deal with the following.

Protein digesting
Starch digesting
Cellulose digesting
Fat, grease digesting
Surfactant digesting
Hydrocarbon digesting
Phenol digesting

Total bacteria count 14 million/gram

I dump in about a quart 2-3 times per year. Last time I had my septic tank pumped it didn't even really have a smell to it and the honey dipper truck operator said I didn't really even need it pumped.

Does this product have a name?

I've been doing the monthly RidX thing, but have a feeling this contributes more to my "warm fuzzy" than the septic.

The system is just over 2 years old & I'm thinking of having it checked/pumped (?) this summer (I'd rather be pro-active than re-active).

 

[thatguy]

thanks for the feedback everyone.. I wont be switching soaps anytime soon.. LOL

brian

 

[DieselPower]

Well, the stuff I'm using isn't exactlly for septic tanks. It's actually a treatment for open manure pits and lagoon's. It's called Bio Remedy and is made by Texas Refinery, yes the oil people. Interesting looking stuff to, it's florescent green!

A local dairy farmer close to me started to use it and it seemed to work great in his lagoon pit so I thought I would start using it in the septic tank. He had to start treating his lagoon pit because of local new (city folk type moving into the "country") people complaining about the smell.

 

[Highbeam]

The stuff I dump into and flush down my toilet has bacteria strains that deal with the following.

Protein digesting
Starch digesting
Cellulose digesting
Fat, grease digesting
Surfactant digesting
Hydrocarbon digesting
Phenol digesting

Total bacteria count 14 million/gram

I dump in about a quart 2-3 times per year. Last time I had my septic tank pumped it didn't even really have a smell to it and the honey dipper truck operator said I didn't really even need it pumped.

You're killing me, I was waiting for the punch line. I dump something like that once a day or so but not sure whether it's a quart and it is completely natural. There are more than enough bacteria, enzymes, bugs, etc. present all around to take care of all the decomposition you'll ever need in a septic tank properly sized for the job. The only exception would be if you had a massive bleach dump which poisoned your tank, and in that special situation even a flourescent green load of "sauce" wouldn't do the job. Additives are a scam but if it makes you feel better then go ahead and do it, it won't hurt anything.

 

[DieselPower]

That's the point, it won't hurt anything and most likely helps. At only $18 a gallon it dosen't cost me much a year.

 

[WayneB]

I believe having your septic tank pumped is important. I plan on having ours pumped about every three years. Seems to work for us and we have never had any problem with the system in over 20 years. My septic company recommends that I have the system checked once a year. I think that is too often and we are on a three year schedule which has worked for us. At that time they actually come and pump out the tank.

This is what they have written on their website:

The primary maintenance point in a septic system is the septic tank. Inspection is accomplished by measuring the scum depth and sludge depth in the tank once a year. The tank should be pumped if the sludge layer has built up to within 18 inches of the tank outlet or if the scum layer thickens to within 3 inches of the bottom of the outlet baffle or sanitary tee.

This site has a septic tank pumping schedule that seems to be pretty good.

Septic Cleaning Guide for Septic System Maintenance - Septic Tank Pumping Schedule: Table Shows When to pump out septic tanks - septic tank cleaning and septic system care guide

This site shows pictures of the pumping process:

Septic Care Guide Details: Septic Tank Pumping Procedure - A Detailed, Step by Step Guide to Pumping and Cleaning Septic Tanks

Not a job I would want to have.

Wayne

 

[thingy]

I don't let any of that antibact stuff go down my drain,,,,[as much as my wife and daughter fight me on it],,don't make sense to me,,you got a tank o poop,,you want to go away,,the way you want it to go away by is a natural method,,don't add stuff to it that stops that,,no brainer as they say,,and yes,they sell plenty of non anti bact stuff,,[matter of fact most of it is],,except dish detergent,,and they sell plenty of that too,,,,,like most things like that,,they probably ain't enough in it to matter anyways,,but,,,thats beside the point,,,,,,ridex,,,we add it every now and than,,,but,,don't think it really helps if you treat your poop right to begin with,,,,,thingy

 

[plowking]

I pump tanks in southern NH. I clean and install filters. Some houses the filter can plug every 6 months. They do catch a lot of washer machine lint, fresh wipes and other things that don't belong in there. I have heard of antibacteria soap slowing bacteria growth in tank, but I have heard professionals in the medical field say we can be more exposed to germs by not letting our immune system do it's job by killling germs with antibacterial products. I do have some systems having problems maintaining bacteria because members of households on medications are affecting the tank. I'm dealing with two frozen septic systems, one is frozen line from pump chamber to distribution box, thawed d-box cover and pump chamber cover with Rosebud torch and pour water in hole and boil. We have to go back tomorrow and thaw line with high pressure, hot water jetter.

 

[moeh1]

There is a product called septic protector made to capture all the lint from washers. They claim it really helps with the leach beds especially. Haven't set up the cabin with the laundry room yet, but I planned to add one- can't hurt anything.

 

[BillyP]

We've been using a septic system for 31 years now and never had any problems at all. Our first house, we lived there for 22 years and never had it pumped out. The house we live in now, we've been here 9 years without a pump out.

I've read where some have them pumped every 1 to 2 years or so. Is this because of location or what?

 

[Highbeam]

Those excessive pumpings are due to fear. Fear caused by aggressive health departments and pump truck companies. There is no reason to pump a properly sized tank every 1-2 years. It also doesn't hurt (just your wallet)to pump the tank every year if that's what you want to do. Health departments and pumpers would love it if everyone pumped every year. As the tank fills with scum and sludge the sewage introduced from the home has less time to spend in the tank seperating into scum and sludge so it is true that a frequently pumped tank is somewhat more efficient. Actual performance requirements such as layer depths are the best thing to hang your hat on, Wayne B wins. Anybody pumping on a schedule is either living in fear or they have actually spent years calculating and measuring how fast their sludge and scum layers accumulate. Time alone is no indication.