Try to change the bacteria you introduce to your septic tank system because each product has different bugs.
The chemicals that kill the germs in your kitchen and bathroom also kill the good bacteria that your septic system needs.
- Vinegar is one of the best natural cleaning agents.
- Try Clorox® Toilet Bowl Cleaner – with septic system safe bleach that quickly breaks down to salt and water.
- Avoid a garbage disposal.
- Don’t drain grease or fats into system.
- No hot tub water in the system.
- Protect the field from runoff.
- Protect drain field from heavy traffic.
- Grass covers best over septic system.
- Keep out chemicals from tank.
A table-spoon of chemical drain cleaner kills the good bacteria in a septic tank. Compare to two gallons of liquid bleach. So some bleach is OK.
Be careful. Strong household cleaning chemicals killed off bacteria and enzymes. Septic bacteria can be destroyed by large doses of toxic substances like disinfectant cleaners drain cleaners.
Watch out for these problems:
If it gurgles or drains slow when flushed, the septic system is too full. And if the shower or sink is slow too, the septic tank may be preventing water from draining at a normal rate.
You have to have enough the good bacteria; else you have clogs, back-ups and odors that wear away you and septic tank system.
Signs a septic system need pumping:
- Lawn is too healthy
- Pooling water
- Sewer backup
- Slow drains
- Smells