Septic Systems and antibiotics

[Alexandra]

I arranged for some family members to have some work done on their septic systems and the fellow who does this work told me a couple of pointers on keeping your septic moving along nicely. Did you know that antibiotics can kill off the bacteria in a septic? (Aren't you glad I posted this after the dinner threads?!)
He said that to introduce new cultures you can get a gallon of milk and allow it to spoil. When it has curdles, you can flush it down the toilet.
So what do you do to show your septic that you love it? (My mil swears by yeast - me, I am going for the curdled milk).
I am new to the whole septic system thing and would love to hear any wisdom on this subject.

[Margaret in CO]

Do NOT pour yeast down your drain and then turn the water on! It expands, necessitating taking the entire trap off. Ask me how I know this... :rolleyes: I had some oldish yeast and thought, "Oh, this will be good for the septic tank." Well, it might be good for the tank, but it's rough on the plumbing. You can use a product called Rid-X. It's good, but you have to do it every month. I get a product from the hardware store--can't remember what it's called. You only have to do it every 6 months. We use it here and at the rentals.

[Peek a Boo]

...and make sure you know your system! Stuff that works for septics doesn't necessarily work for aerobic systems.

google your system and "tips" for more info.

[8FillTheHeart]

I think a better route is to simply protect your septic system as much as possible. Don't pour coffee grounds down the sink. Use liquid detergents not powdered. Use really thin, cheap toilet paper (like Scotts....toilet paper is literally flushing money anyway!!) Do 2-3 loads of laundry per day vs saving them up for lots of loads in one day (ok.....I realize that for some family 3 loads IS saving it up for one day....but not us!!) Try not to use lots of harsh cleaners (like bleach) going down into the system. And NEVER clean paint brushes in your sinks. (Things that float on the top of your system are extremely detrimental to its functionality)

Our new septic system came with directions that explicitly state to not use yeast, RidX, or any type of product along those lines. If I wanted advice......I would call the health dept and talk the person in charge of inspecting your specific type of system and aske them what they recommend vs. a plumber.

[GVA]

DH was on antibiotics (both IV and pill-form) for six months three years ago, and of course various others have been as well for short periods. Our septic was pumped in the fall, and the guy (who always does a very thorough inspected after pumping) said that all was well. We pump every 3 years BTW.

Antibacterial hand soap, bleach (use only when necessary, never daily), many loads of laundry, powdered laundry detergent, paint, garbage disposals, female products, etc. will ruin it over time, but usually not for years.

Unfortunately though septic systems are NOT forever. At some point it will require work. People think that because the system required work when the house was 20 years years old that they did something wrong. That's not true. At some point it will require work. In our area if you have a concrete tank or outlet box, it will begin to fail around 20 years because the soil is acidic.

[Claire]

Our county requires septic systems to be inspected and/or cleaned every 3 years. Ours was done last year and the guy who cleaned it said it was a good thing, as the filter was clogged. I think older systems do not have filters, and that's why some people can say they've been in a house for 20 or 30 years and never had anything done to the septic system.

I'm glad someone posted about the paint; didn't know about that. My dh is doing some painting, but I don't think he's going to want to rinse out his rollers outside in freezing weather!

[Kelli in TN]

I Use really thin, cheap toilet paper .


Now, now, let's don't lose our heads and get radical about this!!!:eek:



I have taken many risks in my life and Quilted Northern is probably one of the tamer risks I have taken, and I have determined to keep taking this risk.:)