Having a septic tank on your property doesn't typically mean that you need to change much about how you use the sinks, tubs, and toilets in your home, as the septic tank is meant to break down solid waste and empty out treated liquid waste to a drain field. However, you shouldn't act as if having a septic tank is the same as being connected to city plumbing systems, as certain chemicals and other items may damage the tank or cause clogs more readily since they can't be easily treated by the chemicals you use in a septic tank. Note a few things to avoid putting down the drain or toilet of your home so you keep your septic tank in good repair.
1. Avoid grease and oil of any sort
Grease and oil do not break down through the septic system and can cause clogs; grease and oils to avoid include cooking oils, animal fats, oils from machinery including car engines and the like. If you have a garage drain that connects to the septic system, don't use it for disposing of automotive oil and other fluids, and don't empty cooking oils and other such fats into the kitchen sink and on into septic tank.
2. Spread out use of liquid cleansers and laundry detergents
Liquid cleansers and laundry products can also have a hard time breaking down in the septic system and may cause clogs. Many different laundry detergents and powders are acceptable to use with septic tanks, so make sure you are using an acceptable product. Additionally, you should spread your laundry use over the week rather than doing all your laundry in a single day.
3. Disinfectants and cleansers
If you use disinfectants in the home, be sure they're biodegradable. Do the same for cleansers used for the bathroom, kitchen, floors and the like. This would include bleach cleansers and vinegar-based products. Avoid anything containing ammonia or pine-based cleansers as these also don't break down very easily in a septic tank.
4. Medicines
It's never good to toss out any prescription medicines that you don't use, and especially avoid putting them into your septic tank system. The medicines can break down and interfere with the treatments used for septic tanks. If you have unused prescription medications, it's good to return these to the pharmacy or your doctor. He or she will be able to dispose of these properly so that none of their ingredients cause contamination to the soil or groundwater.
