When a home is on a septic system, every drain in the house leads to a tank and drain field on your own property. Anything that goes down the toilet or the sink has to be handled by that system. Some items break down easily. Others clog pipes, fill the tank faster, kill the helpful bacteria inside it, or slip through to the drain field and block the soil. Knowing the difference is one of the simplest ways to protect your system. For a quick overview of the tank and drain field, see how a septic system works.
The One Rule for Toilets
The safest rule is the one the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends: flush only human waste and toilet paper. Everything else belongs in the trash, even if the package suggests otherwise.
Items You Should Never Flush
The EPA's septic care guidance lists many everyday items that cause trouble in a septic system. The most common ones in South Georgia homes include:
- Wipes of any kind. Baby wipes, cleaning wipes and makeup wipes do not break down the way toilet paper does. They tangle, catch other debris and block pipes and tank baffles.
- Paper towels and tissues. They are made to hold together when wet, which is exactly what you do not want in a septic line.
- Feminine hygiene products and diapers. These absorb water, swell and can block the inlet to the tank.
- Dental floss. It does not break down and wraps around other material to form clogs.
- Cat litter. Clay and clumping litters settle as solids and add to the sludge layer.
- Cigarette butts. The filters do not break down in the tank.
- Medications. Pharmaceuticals can harm the bacteria that help treat wastewater. Ask your pharmacy or local authorities about proper disposal.
- Condoms. They do not break down and can block lines.
If a toilet clogs often, or several toilets drain slowly at the same time, the cause may be in the tank or main line rather than the toilet itself. That is worth having checked.
What Not to Pour Down the Sink
Kitchen and utility sinks cause as many septic problems as toilets do. Be careful with these:
Cooking Grease, Oil and Fat
Grease is one of the biggest threats to a septic system. It floats to the top of the tank and adds to the scum layer. If that layer builds up too far, grease can escape into the drain field, where it coats the soil and stops it absorbing water. Let grease cool, scrape it into a sealed container and put it in the trash. Wipe greasy pans with a paper towel before washing them, then throw the towel away.
Coffee Grounds and Food Scraps
Coffee grounds do not dissolve. They settle at the bottom of the tank and add to the sludge. Food scraps such as eggshells, bones and vegetable peels do the same. The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension septic guide notes that this kind of waste increases how often a tank needs pumping.
Household Chemicals
Paint, paint thinner, solvents, pesticides, antifreeze and motor oil should never go down any drain. They can kill the bacteria in the tank and contaminate the soil and groundwater around your drain field. Take them to a household hazardous waste collection point instead.
Harsh Drain Cleaners
Chemical drain openers can damage pipes and harm the tank's bacteria. For a slow drain, a drain snake or plunger is a safer first step. If several drains are slow at once, the problem is likely further down the line and needs a professional.
Is the Garbage Disposal Safe With a Septic System?
You can use a garbage disposal with a septic system, but it adds solid waste to the tank. The EPA's frequent questions on septic systems explains that heavy disposal use means the tank needs pumping more often. If you have one, use it sparingly and put most food scraps in the trash or compost instead.
What About Septic Additives?
Many stores sell products that claim to clean or boost a septic tank. The EPA does not recommend them, because a working system already has the bacteria it needs, and some additives can harm the drain field. UGA Extension notes that the Georgia Department of Public Health also discourages their use. Routine pumping is far more effective.
Go Easy on Cleaning Products
Pouring large amounts of cleaning products down the drain at once, such as a bucket of bleach water or leftover cleaners, can upset the bacteria in the tank. Use only what you need for the job and follow the label.
Habits That Help
A few easy changes protect your system every day:
- Keep a small trash can in every bathroom so wipes and other items have somewhere to go.
- Keep a grease container next to the stove.
- Scrape plates into the trash before rinsing.
- Use a sink strainer to catch food and hair.
- Make sure guests and tenants know the home is on septic.
When Something Has Already Gone Down the Drain
If something has already been flushed and you notice slow drains, gurgling, odors or water backing up, stop using water as much as you can and call a professional. Do not try to open or clean the tank yourself, because the gases inside are dangerous.
A pump-out often clears a tank that is full of solids, and our septic tank pumping service covers homes, farms and businesses. If a line, baffle or drain field has been damaged, our septic installation and repair team can find the cause and fix it. Taylor Concrete LLC serves property owners across our South Georgia service areas. Contact our team to book a visit or ask a question.