Septic Tank Additives
Septic Tank Additives
(OP)
Do these additives to reduce sludge and clean drainfields/piping actually work? If so, what do they do? Can they harm the system, or can they harm your wallet?
What are the best ways to avoid problems with your septic system?
Thanks!
What are the best ways to avoid problems with your septic system?
Thanks!





RE: Septic Tank Additives
RE: Septic Tank Additives
1. Additives are of no use
2. Spread out laundry to avoid overloading system
3. Avoid putting grease/paper products into system
4. Avoid cleaning paint trays in the sink
5. Pump tank every 2 years
6. Keep sprinkler systems off disposal field area.
7. Do not plant above disposal field.
8. Inspect outlet baffle on septic tank at every pumping
9. Check plumbing fixtures for leaks. A leaking toilet could add more water to the system that occupant use (do the math)
RE: Septic Tank Additives
RE: Septic Tank Additives
RE: Septic Tank Additives
I wonder if a simple experiment could be done: get two glass jars, put spoiled milk and water in both, put rid-x (or other product) in one and leave the other as a control, and then put some type of food in both. Check periodically for how much degradation has taken place.
Anyone out there with a microbiology background who would care to comment on how telling a simple experiment like this might be, or how I could improve it?
RE: Septic Tank Additives
NOWRA (National On-Site Wastewater Recycling Agency) has done studies on this very topic.
When you flush the toilet, the bacterial cultures are present and active. The problem, as other in this post have addressed is abuse and lack of maintenance.
RE: Septic Tank Additives
RE: Septic Tank Additives
RE: Septic Tank Additives
RE: Septic Tank Additives
Any chemical additives are probably a bad idea, the bacterial population in your tank will adapt and optimize itself to your rate of waste input and it's composition over time, so if it ain't broke don't fix it. Septic tanks work anaerobically and anaerobic bacteria are very resistant to long periods of fasting since their metabolisms are very slow, however they're also very easy to kill by altering their environment quickly, that is why you want to avoid putting solvents, drain cleaners or bleach or anything else down there that would harm them.
the last thing you want to do is clean your drain field and kill the bacterial mat that inhabits your leach system, it's likely it will come off and run out into the rock lining and clog it, and you can't fix something like that with any ease, infiltrator chambers or anything like it are somewhat immune to this problem but you still don't want to kill it off because then your water won't be treated effectively.
So no, additives are very probably not worth it unless your tank has already been killed off, in that case you probably want to innoculate it with new bacterial adds and adding special stuff then can't really do any more harm
RE: Septic Tank Additives