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Let's talk septic tanks
Posted on 1/23/20 at 10:56 pm
Posted on 1/23/20 at 10:56 pm
Let's get all the facts out here and flush out (pun intended) the myths.
I'll hear "no food should ever go down your drains, or you'll have to pump your septic tank all the time".
On the other hand, almost every house I see on a septic tank has a disposal in the kitchen sink.
Is the answer somewhere in between? What are definite "no no's" when it comes to septic tanks? What are some good preventative measures to do?
I've been on a sewer system my whole life and now on a septic tank, so I want to do the right thing.
I'll hear "no food should ever go down your drains, or you'll have to pump your septic tank all the time".
On the other hand, almost every house I see on a septic tank has a disposal in the kitchen sink.
Is the answer somewhere in between? What are definite "no no's" when it comes to septic tanks? What are some good preventative measures to do?
I've been on a sewer system my whole life and now on a septic tank, so I want to do the right thing.
Posted on 1/23/20 at 10:59 pm to East Coast Band
I’m on sewer and I still don’t use my disposal. It’s just one more thing to break or cause blockages
Posted on 1/23/20 at 11:34 pm to East Coast Band
Our house of about 2 years is on a private sewer. I asked a similar question bc I could have had a garbage disposal. I was told that I would have to pour some type of enzyme down drain on occasion that would break that stuff down. I opted out of disposal bc I don’t need anything else to keep up with. We do our best to make sure food doesn’t go down drain
Posted on 1/24/20 at 12:11 am to East Coast Band
I’ve had 2 septic tanks and used garbage disposals. Never had any issues but I would also add Rid-X every couple months.
Posted on 1/24/20 at 6:59 am to LSUEnvy
Been on a treatment plant the last 26 years. Only had to have it pumped out once.
No grease down the drain is a must. If you have a air pump, keep it going. And adding Rid X is good thing to do. No problems using a garbage disposal at all.
The only problem I have with my system is that I have a lift pump that pumps gray water. That pump does burn up about every 2-3 years. A PITA cause I have to dig up the top of that tank which is about 6" down. Had just done that about two weeks ago.
No grease down the drain is a must. If you have a air pump, keep it going. And adding Rid X is good thing to do. No problems using a garbage disposal at all.
The only problem I have with my system is that I have a lift pump that pumps gray water. That pump does burn up about every 2-3 years. A PITA cause I have to dig up the top of that tank which is about 6" down. Had just done that about two weeks ago.
Posted on 1/24/20 at 10:45 am to East Coast Band
I use these kitchen compost Kitchen Composter on Amazon with biodegradable bags for all my food waste, coffee grounds, etc. Makes things really simple. (I don't put meats in there).
Then I have a worm composter in my garage and a bin composter in the back yard. Just wanted to pass this infomation on as an alternative that works well for me.
Then I have a worm composter in my garage and a bin composter in the back yard. Just wanted to pass this infomation on as an alternative that works well for me.
Posted on 1/24/20 at 2:30 pm to East Coast Band
Don't use the pods in your dishwasher or washing machine. The outer "skins" don't always completely disintegrate and will clog up your field lines. I've actually heard of them causing issues in houses with regular sewer lines as well.
Our previous house was on an aerobic septic tank (on county sewer now). In living there seven years we had it pumped once and had the air pump serviced at the same time. The service tech said that he recommended always using liquid detergents in the washing machine and dishwasher, because he had seen issues where over a period of time (10+ years) that the powered detergents would have enough of the crystals to not dissolve that they would clog up the weep lines.
Our previous house was on an aerobic septic tank (on county sewer now). In living there seven years we had it pumped once and had the air pump serviced at the same time. The service tech said that he recommended always using liquid detergents in the washing machine and dishwasher, because he had seen issues where over a period of time (10+ years) that the powered detergents would have enough of the crystals to not dissolve that they would clog up the weep lines.
Posted on 1/24/20 at 4:04 pm to PJinAtl
Make sure it’s sized properly for your family. Most septic issues are related to poor design/install and many times that’s undersizing.
Posted on 1/24/20 at 6:58 pm to LSUEnvy
quote:
I’ve had 2 septic tanks and used garbage disposals. Never had any issues but I would also add Rid-X every couple months.
My experience.
Posted on 1/24/20 at 8:04 pm to East Coast Band
I can only give my personal experience compared to my sisters and neighbors.
I have been in the same home for 13 years and never had the slightest septic tank issue, my neighbors have all had theirs pumped. Difference disposal vs none. My sister gets her septic tank pumped every other year. But they put a shite ton down the drain/disposal because my bro in law does comp bbq and has a shite ton of food and people are eating/shitting at their house every day.
I honestly don't mind scraping plates in the trash. Only issue is slightly stinkier garbage.
I have been in the same home for 13 years and never had the slightest septic tank issue, my neighbors have all had theirs pumped. Difference disposal vs none. My sister gets her septic tank pumped every other year. But they put a shite ton down the drain/disposal because my bro in law does comp bbq and has a shite ton of food and people are eating/shitting at their house every day.
I honestly don't mind scraping plates in the trash. Only issue is slightly stinkier garbage.
This post was edited on 1/24/20 at 8:07 pm
Posted on 1/24/20 at 8:10 pm to NYCAuburn
I did not install a garbage disposal specifically because I’m on a septic tank. More solid waste going down the drain can only lead to an increase in the sediment in the tank.
They can also smell, so I don’t mind having to put stuff in the trash. The only inconvenience is when you’re washing dishes with any amount of food residue left behind. Nobody likes to touch wet, soggy food.
They can also smell, so I don’t mind having to put stuff in the trash. The only inconvenience is when you’re washing dishes with any amount of food residue left behind. Nobody likes to touch wet, soggy food.
Posted on 1/24/20 at 11:29 pm to East Coast Band
quote:
Let's get all the facts out here and flush out (pun intended) the myths.
I'll hear "no food should ever go down your drains, or you'll have to pump your septic tank all the time".
On the other hand, almost every house I see on a septic tank has a disposal in the kitchen sink.
Is the answer somewhere in between? What are definite "no no's" when it comes to septic tanks? What are some good preventative measures to do?
I've been on a sewer system my whole life and now on a septic tank, so I want to do the right thing.
I have had septic tanks my entire life and always used a disposal, pour grese down the drain, and have been using tabs in the dishwasher for a long time and never had an issue of any kind.
Posted on 1/25/20 at 7:28 am to East Coast Band
My first suggestion would be to put risers on your septic tank. You or the septic company will never have to dig again to get to it. Learn to unscrew the cap off it and pull your own filter to clean it. Filters will clog up and cause backups. Then you have to pay for a company to come out, dig up the tank lid, and clean the filter for you.
Install the risers and clean it yourself on a regular schedule and save a ton of money. I was told by a septic company to never use Rid-X because it clogs up your filters.
Install the risers and clean it yourself on a regular schedule and save a ton of money. I was told by a septic company to never use Rid-X because it clogs up your filters.
Posted on 1/25/20 at 2:56 pm to fishfighter
quote:
Been on a treatment plant the last 26 years. Only had to have it pumped out once. No grease down the drain is a must. If you have a air pump, keep it going. And adding Rid X is good thing to do.
This is the key distinction. There is a treatment plant and there is a septic tank. I've had a plant for 28 years and had it pumped out twice. No grease down the drain. But there is no need for Rid X in a plant.
Posted on 1/25/20 at 3:03 pm to East Coast Band
quote:
I'll hear "no food should ever go down your drains, or you'll have to pump your septic tank all the time".
What about the pieces of sweet corn in your poo. Do you strain them out of the toilet?
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