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A well-maintained septic system keeps your home's indoor plumbing running smoothly. However, some homeowners think additives in the tank are part of routine upkeep and will benefit the system. According to plumbers, additives can be harmful, and all you really need is regular septic cleaning.

How a Septic System Works

Septic CleaningTo understand why additives are harmful, you need to know how your septic system functions. When you flush the toilet or run water, it makes its way to the septic tank. The waste inside breaks down into three layers. The top layer is fat or grease, the middle is water or “clear effluent,” and the bottom is solid waste. Microorganisms that naturally occur from the waste are what make this process of separation possible.

After the separation process occurs, the middle layer of clear effluent is sent to the drain field. When the septic tank becomes full of solid waste, you should have professional septic cleaning.

Why You Should Avoid Putting Additives in Your Septic System

Additives can corrode your tank. Chemicals such as sulfuric acid can eat away at the pipes and tank, causing leaks and expensive repairs.

Also, drain cleaners and bleach can eat away at the natural bacteria inside of septic systems. Without these bacteria, waste cannot properly break down. In addition, these additives will also eventually make their way out of the septic tank and into the drain field, where it will impact the health of the soil. Routine septic cleaning without the use of additives will be enough to keep your system in excellent shape.

 

If you need septic cleaning or repair, contact the team at Buck’s Plumbing & Sewer Service in Cookeville, TN. Serving Putnam and the surrounding counties since 1960, this company will make sure your septic tank is 100% clean. They also offer septic repair. Visit their website to learn more or contact them at (931) 528-1157 to schedule a septic cleaning.

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