One of the most significant factors that influences a septic system’s life span and performance is what you send into it. All homeowners need to understand what is safe to flush and what is not. Use the septic tank maintenance guide below to understand how common household items impact your tank and what you should be flushing instead.

Septic Tank Maintenance Guide to Flushing Household Items

What Not to Flush

There are many household items people wrongly assume are safe to flush, and they cause hidden issues with septic systems. Paper towels, tissues, and napkins do not break down the same way toilet paper does, for example, even though they seem similar. This means they accumulate inside the tank along with the rest of your solid waste, filling it up quicker than it would otherwise. The same issue occurs with flushable wipes that claim to be septic-safe. These wipes have been known to get tangled up inside the septic lines, causing blockages.

How to Choose Toilet Paper

The ideal type of toilet paper to use is the type that will begin breaking down as soon as you flush it. Biodegradable and recycled toilet paper both tend to be good options. You can also look for products that have been certified as septic-safe by the National Sanitation Foundation®.

If you’ve found a brand that you like, you can always test it yourself. Place five squares of the paper in a large jar filled 75% with water. Put a lid on it and shake it for 10 seconds. If the paper has started to break apart into smaller pieces by the time you’re done shaking, you know it will do the same when you flush.

By using the right toilet paper and scheduling routine septic tank maintenance, you can extend its life span and ensure your waste system always works properly. Bigfoot Pumping & Thawing keeps the septic systems of North Pole, AK, and interior Alaska in top condition. Their full range of services includes septic pumping, pipe thawing, water jetting for clogs and more. Visit them online to learn more about septic tank maintenance, and call (907) 488-9855 to schedule an estimate.