Whether you live in the country or want to distance yourself from municipal utilities, you may rely on a septic system for your indoor plumbing. While the tanks are easy to overlook because they are out of sight, you should understand how to maintain them. Here are several common items that you should never allow into the tank, as well as the issues they can cause.

What Items Can Damage a Septic System?

1. Wet Wipes

Wet wipes have an incredible range of uses. Not only are they a modern replacement for toilet paper, but they can also clean sticky substances and clear a stain from a shirt. However, you should never flush them. 

Many varieties of wet wipes contain fabric fibers, which are fine to throw in the garbage, but will damage septic systems. Wipes don’t break down easily, and can clog the main sewer line in your septic system. As a result, you may experience sewage backups. Wipes can also float to the top of your septic tank and clog effluent lines moving out to the drainage field, causing permanent damage.

2. Cat Litter

While it may seem harmless to flush some litter, granular litter uses many ingredients that are not safe for septic systems, such as bentonite clay and sand. When wastewater encounters these particles, the substances mix to create clay. This solid material will quickly clog your pipes and add volume to the septic tank. To protect your plumbing system, always toss kitty litter out with your trash.

3. Bleach

Your septic system relies on a delicate balance of bacteria to break down waste. However, many drain cleaners and disinfectants—such as bleach—can kill off the bacteria, interrupting the breakdown of solids. If you flush bleach to clean your toilet, you may notice that you must pump the septic tank more frequently, which raises your cost of ownership significantly.

This is because the bacteria is not present to break down solid waste, filling the tank much quicker. When you clean your bathroom and toilet, only use products that carry a “septic safe” certification. 

If you have a septic system that needs maintenance, turn to John's Reliable Septic in Springfield, OH. For more than 25 years, these trusted professionals have been providing lasting repairs to vital sewer systems. Whether you need pumping, repairs, or a replacement for your septic tank, they will help. To learn more about their services, visit the website. Call (937) 926-1482 to speak with a team member.