What NOT to Flush (& Other Important Ways to Protect Your Septic System)
Septic systems are a common household waste solution for properties outside of municipal sewer boundaries. Septic tanks collect the waste from your house and filter it through the drain field. However, as much as septic systems are common, so are septic problems.
To prevent drainage issues and septic failure, you need to understand routine care and maintenance. If you have a septic system, then it’s imperative that you know how to maintain it to protect your drainage system, home, and lawn. One of the most important considerations is this: What are you flushing?
This article is going to walk you through what you should and should not flush, as well as several other tips to protect your septic system. By the end, you’ll understand the importance of septic care and how to keep your system healthy so that it lasts you for many years to come.
Ready to learn more? Let’s get started.
Here’s Why You Need to Think About What You Flush
When you flush your toilets, the waste flows out of your home through pipes that lead to your septic tank. From here, the liquid wastes percolate out into your lawn for natural filtration. However, when you flush products that have no business in your septic system, you can end up with blockages in your pipes, septic tank, and drain field. You need to know what is and what is not safe to flush so that you can protect your septic system.
Below are some of the risks of flushing materials that don’t belong in your septic system.
1. Clogged Pipes, Inlets, Outlets, & Drains
Clogs are one of the most common problems when you flush something that you shouldn’t. Items like baby wipes, food scraps, or hygiene products can get stuck in your pipes, as well as in the inlet or outlet of your septic tank. This can prevent waste from flowing into your septic tank and drain field, which will lead to sewage backups in your home.
2. Drain Field Damage
In addition to affecting your pipes and septic tank, non-flushable materials can lead to damage in your drain field. Pipes can become clogged with solid materials, and the soil and bacterial balance can be disrupted by harsh chemicals. Regardless of the exact effects, you can develop poor waste filtration, which can lead to clogs, sewage backups, and pooling waste in your yard.
3. Bacterial Disruption & Environmental Impacts
Flushing harsh chemicals can disrupt the ecosystem in your lawn and your septic tank. Your septic system relies on helpful bacteria to break down wastes, but chemicals can harm or deplete the bacteria. In addition, harsh cleaners and other chemicals can also contaminate groundwater and accumulate in your yard. All of these effects are harmful to your property, your septic tank, and the environment.
4. Septic Tank & Sewer Line Corrosion
Many chemicals, including household cleaners and vehicle fluids, can lead to corrosion of your septic tank and sewer lines. This can not only lead to leaks and clogs, but it can also destroy your septic tank. It’s best to avoid any harsh chemicals to prevent corrosion and premature replacement of your septic system.
5. Septic System Failure
Whether clogged pipes, drainfield damage, bacterial disruption, or corrosion, improper care of your septic system can have serious consequences. You may face sewage backups into your house, pooling sewage in your lawn, poor waste filtration, and septic failure. This can lead to early replacement of your septic tank, sewer lines, and septic drainfield. You need to protect your septic system so that it can serve you best for many years to come.
What Can You Flush?
Because septic system health and efficacy relies on proper care and maintenance, it’s vital that you know what can and cannot be flushed. In short, the only things that you should flush down your toilet are human waste and toilet paper. Your septic system is designed to process human waste and wastewater from your house, so this is always the best approach.
Here is a list of many common things that you SHOULD NOT flush:
- Baby wipes or wet wipes
- Hygiene products
- Diapers
- Cat litter
- Pet waste
- Paper towels
- Food scraps
- Coffee grounds
- Medications
- Oils
- Grease
- Harsh chemicals
If you or another household member have flushed something inappropriate, then you’ll need to watch for concerning signs. Look for slow drainage, foul smells, gurgling noises, or pooling water in your yard. If you experience any of these problems, you’ll need to call a reputable septic company for professional assistance right away. In addition, make sure everyone in the household knows not to flush anything besides human waste or toilet paper in the future. This way, you can keep your septic system working properly for many more years.
Here Are 5 More Ways to Protect Your Septic System
Besides watching what you flush, there are many other ways to protect your septic system. From using safe cleaners to spacing out your laundry loads, you can prevent problems with your pipes, septic tank, and drainfield. That way, you can avoid complications like sewage backups, leaks, and early replacement. Learn more about tips to safeguard your home septic system below.
1. Avoid Harsh Chemicals in Your Drains
Many homeowners use strong cleaning chemicals and drain cleaner in their sinks, showers, tubs, and toilets. However, these chemicals can cause corrosion in your sewer lines and septic tank. In addition, they can disrupt the function of your drainfield. Instead, make sure you are only using septic-safe solutions. You should avoid pouring any chemicals (including cleaners, antifreeze, bleach, paint, thinners, pesticides, and more) down your drains.
2. Limit Garbage Disposal Use
Food scraps, grease, and oils can be detrimental to your septic tank. Not only can they lead to clogs in your pipes, but they can also clog your tank inlets and outlets, as well as your drainfield. Your septic system is not designed to process solid wastes, such as food. Because of this, you should limit garbage disposal use to protect your septic system. Instead, opt for composting or simply throw out food scraps and grease.
3. Stagger Laundry Loads & Dishwashers
Instead of doing multiple loads of laundry and running the dishwasher all at once, spread these cycles out through the week. Excessive washing can lead to more water in your septic tank, which can overfill it before it’s able to filter your liquid wastes. By spreading out the washing loads, you can give your septic system more time to function effectively.
4. Emphasize Water-Efficiency
Today, there are many water-efficient models to choose for your washing machine, dishwasher, and showerheads. These additions can limit excessive water usage to prevent overfilling your septic tank. (Bonus: It’s better for the environment too.) You can also turn off the water when you are brushing your teeth or shaving. In addition, all water leaks should be addressed quickly. If you have a leaky faucet or toilet, you’ll want to have it repaired right away to limit overuse of water.
5. Schedule Routine Septic Pumping
Over time, the solid wastes in your septic tank naturally build up. To prevent corrosion and clogs, you need to schedule septic pumping services. By pumping the solid wastes out and cleaning your tank, you can extend the lifespan of your septic system.
In Review: Here’s How to Protect Your Septic System
It’s important that you take precautions to protect your septic system. Without the proper care, you may experience poor drainage for your home, sewage backups, waste pooling in your lawn, and early replacement of your septic system. To best protect your septic system, you want to avoid harsh cleaners and other chemicals, limit garbage disposal use, stagger laundry and dishwasher loads, prioritize water efficiency, schedule routine septic pumping, and pay attention to what you flush.
Avoid flushing anything besides human waste and toilet paper. All other household chemicals, foods, and wastes should NEVER be flushed. Flushing inappropriate materials down your toilet can lead to clogs, corrosion, drain field damage, bacterial disruption, and septic failure. By thinking before you flush, you can prolong the lifespan of your septic system, saving you money and stress.
For more tips and assistance with your septic system, call FreeFlow Environmental.
Need Septic Repair? Call FreeFlow Environmental Today!
Do you need assistance with your home septic system? Whether you are facing a clog, need septic tank pumping, or think it’s time for septic drain field restoration, FreeFlow Environmental is here to help. We’ll start with an inspection, diagnose your problem, and find the most reliable and cost-effective repair plan for you. Contact us today to get started with your septic repair services.
