Drain Cleaners Can Be Harmful To Your Tank
Drain cleaners contain some of the most corrosive chemicals found in the home. While a few household chemicals are broken down in a septic tank, many household chemicals are toxic to the bacteria that break down and essentially consume the solid waste into your septic tank. Every day incoming household wastewater provides your septic tank with a fresh supply of naturally occurring bacteria. Under normal conditions, they will balance out to find conditions necessary for a properly functioning septic system. Additives like drain cleaners, bleach, emulsifiers, enzymes, or any other chemical can seriously upset this balance. These agents harm the naturally occurring bacteria and skew the bacterial mix in the septic tank. Some additives can cause the sludge in a septic tank to accumulate, resulting in solids being flushed into the drain field, and clogging your system. This can result costly damage to your home’s septic system and can harm the surrounding soil and groundwater.
Maintenance Guidelines
It is important that homeowners maintain the proper functioning of their septic systems. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:
- Limit household cleaners. Avoid pouring large amounts of hazardous household products and other chemicals down your drain. When disposal down the drain is necessary, always flush with plenty of water and do not mix products together since it can form toxic gases.
- Avoid drain cleaners and solvents. Do not use solvent-based septic tank additives or other products to enhance the normal function of your septic tank.
- Follow directions. Proper use, storage, and disposal of household products will extend the life of septic systems and help protect groundwater from chemical contamination. Always following directions listed on the product label.