Treating Your Septic Tank Organically
Posted by Eric Lancaster on
Your septic tank holds waste water from the home. Solid debris settles as the bottom of the tank to form a sludge layer. Lighter waste rises to the top, forming the scum layer. Clarified liquid makes up the in-between, and flows into an outlet pipe and eventually dissipates through a drain field. The septic system is a self-reliant ecosystem. Bacteria within the tank works to naturally break down organic waste matter and slow the buildup of sludge on the bottom.
Septic Tank Maintenance
This self-contained system does not perform well with excess water diluting the bacteria or the overuse of strong cleaners. Common household chemicals such as bleach and antibacterial products, kill the helpful bacteria that populates the septic tank. Too much water can flush out and dilute the bacteria growing in the tank. This weakens the overall natural system, and can lead to a buildup of sewage. This may eventually restrict the outlet pipe or clog the drain field. The concern is that a backup will occur.
Sewage backup is never pleasant. Dirty, smelly, and potentially damaging, a backup may require emergency pumping and even drainfield replacement. This accumulation of solids in the tank can easily go undetected until it backs up into your house. There is never a good time to deal with messes of this caliber. Backup is the first sign of a septic system failure.
What To Avoid In Your Drain
You can help maintain your septic tanks organic system by being careful of what you put down your drains. Avoid pouring grease down the drain as it a major cause of blockages. Resist long showers and extra loads of laundry. Be sparing with the use of harsh cleaners such as bleach, and toss the dirty water outside rather than down the drain. Avoid overuse of antibacterial soaps.
Natural active bacteria and enzymes have been scientifically proven to breakdown household waste. Active bacteria is required to break down toilet paper, vegetable matter, fats, oils, grease and solids. Restoring the natural balance of beneficials bacteria and enzymes will help to keep your system operating at full efficiency. Tank maintenance costs will be significantly reduced. Drainfield performance will be greatly improved. The risk of groundwater pollution is decreased. Odors are eliminated.
Helpful Organic Microbes For Your Septic
Septic tank maintenance is simple with the addition of septic tank microbes. This naturally fermented live microbial product is useful in home septic systems, in portable toilets such as RV's, boats, and buses to get rid of odors and make pump-outs simple. As a safe and convenient alternative to synthetic chemicals, septic microbes allow for easy maintenance. To eliminate drain odor, simply pour a quarter of a cup down each drain and let sit for several hours. For septic systems, pour down any common drain once per month.