Mike50
DIY Senior Member
Excerpts from>The Septic System Owners Manual< (Kahn,Allen,Jones)
1. Drano, Liquid Plumber, or any lye based chemicals.
2.Oven-Off or any other strong cleaning agents (although home photo lab rinse waters are considered fairly safe.
3. Root deterent or any product containing copper sulfate. Commonly sold in hardware stores,these products may kill clogging roots but by the same token will kill the beneficial living microorganisms in your system.
4. Septic system additives, especially enzymes.
Responding to the belief held by many septic tank owners that adding cakes of baking yeast is beneficial, John H. Timothy Winneberger, Ph.D., a well known septic systems pioneer, said the only way yeast could benefit a septic tank is if "you eat it first."
Chapter 4 summary-Down the Drain
To sum it up, there are many steps you can take on a day-to-day basis to promote a healthy system and to prevent system failure:
*Install a low flow toilet and/or low flow shower head.
*Use a graywater system for laundry and/or bath wastewater.
*Don't allow taps to run. Fix leaky taps
*Wash dishes economically
*Don't use a garbage disposal. Compost your kitchen waste if possible.
*Don't put anything other than toilet paper down the toilet drain.
*Minimize bleach and other chlorine products.
*Don't put unnessary dirt or sand down the drain.
*Use bio-degradable soaps.
SEPTIC LIFE IS HARD TO KILL
The book further goes on to cite a study from the Univessity of Arkansas at Little Rock:
Results showed that an excessive amount of any of the cleaners and disinfectants applied in a slug loading (all at once) was required to kill the bacteria in the septic tank. However after normal septic system usage, the bacterial population recovered to it's original concentration within hours.
In other words, although under extreme stress and shock loading conditions, the bacteria can be destroyed, rejuvenation does occur within hours. {end.}
I'm not saying this is gospel-you should always take internet advice with a grain of salt in applying it to your particular and unique situation.
Lloyd Kahn contradicts himself in saying that no chemicals should be put down the drain---but OTOH he cites the study showing that septic systems mend themselves within hours after application.
I highly recommend this well illustrated, wise and humorous book.
Lloyd Kahn has quite a unique resume.
1. Drano, Liquid Plumber, or any lye based chemicals.
2.Oven-Off or any other strong cleaning agents (although home photo lab rinse waters are considered fairly safe.
3. Root deterent or any product containing copper sulfate. Commonly sold in hardware stores,these products may kill clogging roots but by the same token will kill the beneficial living microorganisms in your system.
4. Septic system additives, especially enzymes.
Responding to the belief held by many septic tank owners that adding cakes of baking yeast is beneficial, John H. Timothy Winneberger, Ph.D., a well known septic systems pioneer, said the only way yeast could benefit a septic tank is if "you eat it first."
Chapter 4 summary-Down the Drain
To sum it up, there are many steps you can take on a day-to-day basis to promote a healthy system and to prevent system failure:
*Install a low flow toilet and/or low flow shower head.
*Use a graywater system for laundry and/or bath wastewater.
*Don't allow taps to run. Fix leaky taps
*Wash dishes economically
*Don't use a garbage disposal. Compost your kitchen waste if possible.
*Don't put anything other than toilet paper down the toilet drain.
*Minimize bleach and other chlorine products.
*Don't put unnessary dirt or sand down the drain.
*Use bio-degradable soaps.
SEPTIC LIFE IS HARD TO KILL
The book further goes on to cite a study from the Univessity of Arkansas at Little Rock:
Results showed that an excessive amount of any of the cleaners and disinfectants applied in a slug loading (all at once) was required to kill the bacteria in the septic tank. However after normal septic system usage, the bacterial population recovered to it's original concentration within hours.
In other words, although under extreme stress and shock loading conditions, the bacteria can be destroyed, rejuvenation does occur within hours. {end.}
I'm not saying this is gospel-you should always take internet advice with a grain of salt in applying it to your particular and unique situation.
Lloyd Kahn contradicts himself in saying that no chemicals should be put down the drain---but OTOH he cites the study showing that septic systems mend themselves within hours after application.
I highly recommend this well illustrated, wise and humorous book.
Lloyd Kahn has quite a unique resume.
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