What Not to Flush into Your Septic System

It’s tempting to regard the sinks and toilets of your homes as black holes that are as mysterious as they are useful. Do you have a liquid you want to get rid of? Maybe a semi-solid or two? Simply pour it down the drain or flush it! The truth is, your plumbing is a delicate system that can be harmed by more than you think. If you own a septic system in Western Massachusetts, it’s even more important to know the do’s and don’ts of flushing. Here is what to stay away from.

Corrosive and/or Poisonous Substances

Believe it or not, your septic tank has a “biome” much like your own digestive system. Your tank relies on this equilibrium of bacteria to break down solid waste into something more manageable. Before you flush something down your toilet, think about the harm it could do to that army of bacteria. Here are a few substances you should avoid flushing:

• Gasoline
• Paint thinner
• Oil
• Non-septic safe cleaning solutions 

Materials That Don’t Biodegrade

Your septic tank relies on the substances coming into it to eventually break down into a viscous fluid. Bulky items that do not easily degrade will fill or even clog your tank. Curious about what not to flush down to your septic? Here are a few things to keep out of your tank:

• Paper towels
• Wet wipes, no matter how “septic safe” they claim they are
• Cigarette butts
• Diapers
• Plastics

Solids

The rule of thumb with a septic tank is actually quite simple; if the substance hasn’t come out of you, then it’s best thrown in the trash than the toilet! With that said, we see homeowners tossing a few seemingly innocent things into their toilets that become big problems:

• Dental floss
• Cat litter (this is a big no-no)
• Tampons
• Coffee grinds

Fat Or Grease

After cooking, you might find yourself with a pot or pan full of cooking oil. The idea of throwing it into the trash, where it might leak out of the bag and create a mess, is unattractive. Why not put it down the sink? The problem with this thinking is that the cooking oil will enter as a liquid, then quickly harden into a solid mass once it cools. This mass of cooking oil can clog your pipes, overburden your septic system, or clog the system itself. Toss grease in the trash where it belongs. There are even specialized powders that will turn grease into a solid gel for mess-free disposal.

What Chemicals Are Safe?

We said earlier that you should refrain from dumping chemicals into your septic system. However, there are septic-safe cleaners and they will be labeled as such. These cleaners typically use harmless, natural ingredients like vinegar and citrus as their cleaning agent. We suggest inspecting labels carefully for the “septic safe” assurance.

Are you having septic problems in Western Mass? Maybe a clog from one of the issues above? Still not sure what to flush and what not to flush down to your septic? If so, reach out to us today and we’ll get it fixed for you.