You may not know that your septic system uses a delicate process that can easily be thrown out of balance if you put the wrong items down the drains. This process involves natural bacteria and air filtration, which are used to clean household sewage so that it can safely be released into the environment. If you don’t care for your system, you may find yourself with costly repair bills or sewage backed up into your home. Be aware of everyday household products that should never be put down the drain.

What to Avoid Putting Down Your Household Drains

1. Cooking Grease

Grease like butter, coconut oil, and fat from cooked meat is solid at room temperature. If you pour the melted fat down the drain, it will solidify and congeal within the pipes, causing sticky clogs that attract other food particles. Blockages can lead to sewage backing up into your home or a sink that will not completely drain. Wait for the grease to cool and scrape it into the trash instead.

2. Coffee Grounds

The hard texture of coffee grounds makes them slow to decompose. When you put them down the drain, they’ll sink to the bottom of the septic system and sit there until the next time it’s pumped. If you don’t schedule regular maintenance and you drink coffee often, this can interfere with the filtration system. Put them in the trash or compost instead, or find ways to reuse them for gardening or cleaning.

3. Bleach and Other Harsh Cleaners

Harsh chemicals will throw off the delicate balance of waste-digesting microbes in your aerobic treatment system. When you kill these microbes with cleaners and disinfectants like bleach, drain cleaner, and fabric softeners, a layer of sludge will begin to accumulate at the bottom of your septic system. This can cause the water filtered through the tank to be unfit to drain out into natural water sources.

4. Disposable Diapers, Tampons, and Condoms

These bulky items can easily get caught around the motor of a septic system, causing it to break, and they can also clog drains. Avoid flushing them altogether and dispose of them in a trashcan instead.

5. Medicines

Many prescription and over-the-counter medications have high concentrations of antibiotics that can kill the microbes in your septic system. Instead of flushing medication down the toilet, throw it in the trash or reach out to local law enforcement about safe disposal programs.

6. Paints and Solvents

The strong chemicals in household paint and solvents can also kill the microbes in your septic system and reduce the effectiveness of the sewage treatment process. They can also corrode your drains and pipes, leading to the need for costly repairs. Avoid pouring them down your drains, as there is no reason that they should ever be put into your plumbing.

 

If you find that your septic system needs repairs, contact the professionals at Wade Rufsholm Septic Systems in Siren, WI. Mr. Rufsholm is an experienced septic system technician who services Burnett, Polk, and Washburn Counties. He can quickly evaluate and diagnose the issues in your septic system while determining the right solution. Mr. Rufsholm is licensed and certified and strives to provide efficient and professional service to every client. Make an appointment today by calling (715) 349-7286 or learn more about his services by visiting his website.