Thanks for all the ideas. I'll the baking Soda solution and I have been using chemicals and didn't know it might add to the situation. Again, thanks
In Greece, where I live part time, we put most used TP in the trash rather than flushing it. (Most people DO flush paper used for BMs) Every toilet in the country has a small flip-top trash can next to it that fits a regular grocery-store plastic bag. When the bag is full, we just tie it shut and toss it in the trash. This saves a lot of volume for the country's sewage systems. I've brought that habit back to the US so I use my lovely soft luxurious 3-ply without feeling quite so bad for my septic tank.
Remember that a septic system works via live bacteria decomposing the products within it. A good enviornment for the bacteria is required meaning no chemicals if possible. Adding baking soda monthly is recommended. Also, white TP dissolves better than colored.
On 12/23/2013 2:51 PM, Bill Chmelik wrote:
Best TP for a septic system is one that breaks down rapidly, such as single
ply scott... and never flush feminine products down the drain...and remove
your garbage disposer... don't flush excess meds down the drain either...
-----Original Message-----
From: DoIt_Yourself@yahoogroups.com [mailto:DoIt_Yourself@yahoogroups.com]
On Behalf Of LarenCorie
Sent: Saturday, December 21, 2013 10:43 AM
To: DoIt_Yourself@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [DIY] Septic System Maintenance....
Posted by: "Jan Flood" jan.flood2@att.net
> When we lived on the farm we used enzyme tablets
> the old style toilets are still being made and they could order one.
> I don't know exactly how the low flow flush works but a good handyman
> might be able to override the low water option
Posted by: "Chuck Vischulis" seaavee@yahoo.com
> We also use Rid-x once a month.
Hi folks,
The overwhelming evidence is that if you are lucky you might as well just
flush money down your toilet,
as use additives. And, if you are unlucky, additives
can actually reduce the life of your septic system, by moving more suspended
solids into the drain field. It is also true that reduced water usage
improves septic system performance. My system is nearly 70 years
old. A friend who wastes 50¢/day on ritual annual
tank pumping managed to convince me my 60 year old tank (which had never
been pumped) needed pumping when there was a clog. Without me even asking,
the man who pumped my tank told me that it had not needed it. ($185 wasted,
as he smilingly
took my check) These systems are designed to
work without intervention. Unless you do foolish things like flush plastics,
paint, or a lot of grease and fat down them, they should work (as mine
does) for decades without trouble, or need for any maintenance.
Generally, if you are having trouble, it is because there is too much
water in the system, not too little.
The water could be getting into the drain field via ground water, or other
non-septic system paths.
When it is backing up, increasing the water usage of your toilet is likely
to be the exact opposite of
what you should do. It is probably doing that
because it's already full. If you are having trouble when a lot of people
are at the house, flushing the toilet, and in the kitchen with water
running, that may be an indication that your problem is
from too much water usage, not too little. It
may also have been after a rain. A water
wasting toilet would likely make that situation worse, not better. Do you
have a garbage disposal......bad idea for a septic system.
< http://www.ext.nodak.edu/extnews/newsrelease/2006/030906/11avoidu.htm >
< http://www.egr.msu.edu/age/documents/news_archives/eco/additives.pdf >
<
http://www.motherearthnews.com/homesteading-and-livestock/septic-tank-additi
ves-zb0z10zarc.aspx >
<
http://rc.mt.gov/content/environmental/documents/53Septictankadditives.pdf
>
I could post a hundred links, but they all say the same thing. There
is no disagreement. All research says that septic system additives are (to
put it in common language) a scam.
In fact, the State of Washington has outlawed their sales.
They all also say that reducing water usage is a solution, not a problem.
-Laren Corie-
Natural Solar Building Design and
Solar Heating/Natural Cooling/Energy
Efficiency Consultation Since 1975
www.ThermalAttic.com (many new
photos and pages, coming soon)
Read my Solar house design articles in:
-Energy Self-Sufficiency Newsletter-
www.essnmag.com
Home base-LittleHouses YahooGroup
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LittleHouses/
Founder-WoodGas - Power from wood
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WoodGas
Founder-RefrigeratorAlternatives YahooGroup
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RefrigeratorAlternatives
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