What Not to Flush: Protecting Your Septic System from Damage

We all know that septic tanks are meant to handle waste to a certain degree. However, do we know about the importance of not sending anything else down our toilets and what doing so may cost us? Since septic systems aren’t designed to handle the entire community’s waste like municipal sewer pipes, flushing foreign objects has far more serious complications than you’d normally expect. You can clog the pipes, cause backups, and make it necessary for you to get expensive repairs. Maintenance of your septic system starts with knowing what not to flush and when to call a professional septic company.

Protecting Your Septic System Starts with Smart Habits

Septic systems are designed in a way that when waste goes down the pipes, the microorganisms inside the tank are able to decompose and safely discard the sewage. However, when foreign non-biodegradable items or hazardous chemicals are sent, they will not be able to be broken down in their natural course like they’re supposed to. Instead, they will obstruct the area they’re placed in and disrupt the microorganismal balance of the tank, making it harder for the septic system to dissolve the rest of the waste. At this point, unfortunately, simple septic pumping won’t be able to handle the issue, and expensive repairs might be necessary.

Wet Wipes

When buying wet wipes, you can notice that many of them are marked as flushable. Even though these wipes are advertised as flushable, almost none of them are biodegradable nor flushable. Make sure to always throw them in the trash.

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Medications

When medications are expired, many homeowners prefer to just flush them. Due to the small size of the pills, this action may not seem as hazardous. However, remember the medicines also have chemical compositions that can seriously disrupt the balance of your septic tank as well as clog the system. You should look up the correct ways of disposing of that specific medicine instead of flushing it.

Napkins and Paper Towels

Although these items resemble toilet paper, they are in fact not designed to break down when faced with water, and instead they are made to withstand and absorb the water. As a result, if they’re flushed, they can seriously clog and obstruct flow in your septic tank.

Overuse of Harsh Chemicals and Bleach

While your septic system can tolerate small amounts of cleaning products. Using large volumes might destroy good bacteria that is essential for the waste to be broken down. Never send large amounts of bleach down the drains and the toilets, and never pour pesticides and paint as well. These will not only damage your septic system to the degree of repair but can also contaminate groundwater. At this point, unfortunately, simple septic cleaning in Mentone, CA will not be able to fix the damage these chemicals leave.

Being Proactive Is The Key

With only a few easy precautions, you can seriously extend the life of your septic system. No matter what you can be unsure about your septic system, there’s one rule you can never doubt—only flush waste. Everything else should be thrown in the garbage. If you’ve been observing issues like slow drainage, backups, or odd noises coming from the pipes, give a call to the professionals of Mr. Rooter Plumbing. We offer a wide range of septic services, and through taking necessary preventive measures and early action, you can save yourself from major expenses and disruptions of daily life. Call us today and schedule your appointment.