Drano is a popular drainage cleaner that most homeowners are skeptical about using on their septic systems. No one wants to put anything down the drain that is not water or waste. Even though a septic system may not be considered delicate, you cannot just put anything through it, as the wrong substance can upset its balance. If you are wondering whether there are some risks associated with Drano, read on to find out.
How Does a Septic System Work?
Before knowing whether you should use Drano, it is first important to understand how septic systems work. A septic system uses the healthy bacteria found in the leach field to break down waste. The process sterilizes the wastewater, after which the water is released back to the earth through the soil. Some things can be broken down in the leach field, and some cannot. That is why a professional plumber will warn you about never pouring some items down the drain, such as:
Diapers
Toilet wipes
Cigarette butts
Greases, oils, and fats
Medication
Feminine hygiene products
Condoms
Car litter
Coffee grounds
Generally, anything that is not wastewater is likely to affect your septic system.
Should You Use Drano?
Drano has been designed to create a strong chemical reaction that is powerful (toxic) enough to eliminate anything that may have caused a blockage. On the positive side, Drano or any other drain cleaners you buy in the store are effective in eliminating some types of blockages in the pipes. But the question is, should you use it on your septic system?
The simple answer is that it is not a good idea to use it. Earlier, we mentioned healthy bacteria that breaks down waste before water is released into the soil. So before using Drano, there are some septic system considerations you have to think about. Because Drano is a toxic or powerful substance, it can reduce or completely eliminate healthy bacteria. That means waste will not be broken down, and this can also be the start of many other issues with your drain system.
What to Do?
Now that we have covered Drano risks, you are probably asking yourself what the right way to get rid of the blockage down your drain is? If it is hair, use a drain cleaner and if it is grease, check whether you can locate the exact place where the blockage is and clean that section. However, if you are not sure what could be blocking your drainage, get in touch with a septic professional. Trying to DIY is never a good idea, as you could cause further damage or even risk injuring yourself. If you touch something harmful, you might also end up sick.
A septic system technician knows what to do and has the right tools for the job for safety purposes. Instead of trying to do this on your own, get in touch with us today. At Countryside Construction Inc, we have professionals that know how to handle drain clog issues and septic systems. We will help remove the blockage safely without compromising your septic system.
While it’s not exactly a conversation that you’d want to have at the dinner table, it’s something we all have in common: keeping clean in the bathroom. During the events of the past two years, people have gotten more adventurous with their choices, as they’ve spent more time at home than they’ve ever dreamed of. We’ve heard of many more people learning about the magic of bidets, but others still like to use traditional wet wipes—sometimes called flushable wipes.
The problem arises when people believe that these wipes can go into your pipes, regardless if you’re connected to municipal sewage systems or have a septic system of your own. Flushable wipes in particular are the scourge of many a plumbing system. Read on for the reasons why.
Misleading marketing
Wet wipes in North America are a $2-billion+ industry, and with good reason. They’re a versatile product that does everything from cleaning babies’ bottoms to scrubbing off makeup. The problem arises with flushable wipes, specifically. (You might also see wipes that bill themselves as septic-safe.)
It’s quite unsettling for homeowners to think about having to put used wipes into the garbage can, where they’ll rest until trash day. To that end, it’s not hard to see why marketing folks dreamed up the very idea of flushable wipes—who could disagree with the idea of a wipe specifically engineered to be flushed? The problem is that such a thing doesn’t exist. No wipe will fully break apart in your pipes, no matter what a manufacturer claims.
Backups snowball quickly
One deceptive thing about your plumbing is that you simply can never see about 99 percent of it. Many people make the assumption that if it flushes away or goes down the drain, then it’s gone. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, it’s possible that your problems are just beginning and that you’re underestimating the dangers of flushable wipes.
People who pour cooking oils and grease down their drains have likely gummed up the works already from this solidifying waste. Flushable wipes can grab onto these preexisting pipe obstructions and create something that’s colloquially called fatbergs. These massive blockages in your pipes can cause serious problems and require hours of plumbing work.
Flush only paper down the pipes
The one unassailable rule if you’re hoping to avoid the dangers of flushable wipes is to never flush anything down your pipes besides toilet paper (and your own business, of course). Anything else—from feminine products to flushable wipes to cooking oils—can be a troublemaker, so avoid disposing of them in this manner and your pipes should be running clear for years to come.
Both sewage connections and septic systems can bear the brunt of uneducated users flushing down things like wipes and damaging their pipes. To that end, it’s important to learn about what you can and can’t flush, and it’s critical to have regular maintenance on your septic system to ensure that everything is working properly. Call the pros at Countryside Construction Inc. today to schedule your appointment.
In the market for a new home? When you’re dreaming about your new home, chances are they don’t include homes with septic systems. Homes with septic tanks aren’t uncommon, particularly in more rural areas.
If you’ve found the perfect property but you’re unsure of what to make of the septic system, here’s what you need to know.
What is a septic system?
Septic systems treat sewage waste from the home using a septic tank and drain field. As you send wastewater down the drain or flush your toilets, it’s sent through your home’s pipes and into a septic tank.
In the septic tank, the liquid that separates from the sludge and scum is sent out of the tank through the pipes and into the drain field. The soil in the drain field naturally filters out contaminants, while helpful bacteria break down all organic matter. The sludge and scum remain in the tank, requiring periodic pumping to prevent overfill.
The pros of septic systems
Septic systems are simply a fact of life for most rural homeowners, as homes with septic systems are only common outside of the city. Luckily, there are many benefits to having a septic system instead of traditional plumbing. They include:
Financial savings, since you’ll save money by eliminating public sewer expenses
Eco-friendly operation, providing natural breakdown of waste and eliminating reliance on harmful chemicals to treat wastewater
Reduction of your property taxes
Repairs are easier to diagnose and correct on-site when compared to traditional plumbing
What to do if you’re interested in a home with a septic system
Not sure how to verify the condition of a home’s septic system? Before you buy, have the system inspected by the professionals. They’ll check pipe integrity and proper drainage and ventilation. They’ll spot any potential problems with the system before they become bigger ones in the future.
You should prepare for regular maintenance when you buy a home with a septic system. You’ll need to pump the tank every few years, which can cost several hundred dollars depending on the size of the tank.
Also, you need to understand the specs of the system before you decide to purchase the home. Your technician will tell you the size of your system, as well as how often it needs to be drained. A final consideration to keep in mind is the age of the system. Systems need to be replaced every 20 to 30 years, and you’ll need to prepare for the expense of replacement if your tank is nearing that figure.
Septic systems can actually save you money and protect the environment—so long as yours is working right. It pays to have a group of septic experts on your side, like Countryside Construction Inc. We’re the team you can rely on to make sure your new home’s septic system is in working order, and we’ll keep your system maintained for worry-free operation for years to come. Reach out today to schedule a service appointment.
Wondering if your septic system has reached the end of its useful lifespan? A septic system that isn’t working right can cause extensive damage not just to your property but also to the environment. While septic system replacement is not a trivial expense, it may be a necessary one depending on your situation.
Here are some of the common warning signs indicating that you need a new septic system.
You’re noticing standing water with no apparent cause
Noticing pools of water on your property even though there’s been no rain? A percolating septic system may be to blame. Pools or puddles on your property can indicate that the ground isn’t absorbing the water that’s leaving the tank.
Protect your own health and safety, and schedule an inspection as soon as you see puddles of water with no clear cause.
You’re noticing funky smells
It’s no secret that sewage has an unmistakable smell. If you or your guests are noticing a rotten smell at your property, problems with the septic system may be to blame—it could even indicate that your tank is overflowing. Reach out to your septic service professionals to see whether you just need a pump or if you need an entirely new septic system.
Your drains are acting up
Since all the drains and toilets in your property are connected to your septic system, slow-moving drains can be an indication of a damaged or overfull tank. While problems with a single drain may be due to something as simple as a clog, if you’re noticing issues with several drains, you’re likely dealing with a septic problem. Test the toilets around your property; if they’re all flushing slowly, it’s likely your septic system needs service.
Your sewage is backing up
Anytime sewage backs up into a home or business is a cause for alarm. Call your service professional immediately after noticing a backup, since this is a problem that won’t get better on its own.
Your grass is changing in color or density
One of the most common indications of a damaged septic system is a change in the appearance of your lawn. Noticing strange patches of grass that are denser and darker than the rest of the lawn? You’re likely dealing with drain field problems or leaks in the system, as sewage escapes the tank and provides fresh fertilizer for the grass, causing perceptible growth.
If you’re concerned about the condition of your septic system, ease your worries by getting a professional inspection. Get in touch with the team at Countryside Construction Inc. and schedule your inspection today. We’ve designed, installed and serviced septic systems for over four decades, and we can help you determine whether septic tank replacement is the right choice for your situation.
Sometimes a hot bath is the best way to relax after a long day. One way to elevate your bath is with a bath bomb. The calming essential oils and delightful fragrances in bath bombs help melt your cares away. Plus, the salts found in some products can soothe sore muscles.
But before you plop a bath bomb in your tub, consider the toll it can take on your septic system. This post will cover the basics behind bath bombs and septic systems.
Are bath bombs bad for your septic tank?
We hate to be the bearers of bad news, but septic systems and bath bombs usually don’t mix. Here are the reasons why bath bombs are bad for your septic tank:
Oils and fats: Shea butter, cocoa butter, coconut oil and essential oils are common ingredients in bath bombs. Those ingredients (along with perfumes and other fragrances) combine to form a layer of fat that causes blockages in the leach field. These blockages cause a variety of septic problems and are expensive to fix.
Decorative solids: Many bath bombs contain decorative flowers and glitter that look nice in the water. While they’re pretty to look at, they cause some not-so-pretty issues once the bathwater goes down the drain. Again, these solids float to the top of your septic tank and can clog up the pipes in your leach field.
Salts: Epsom salt or sea salt are other common ingredients in bath bombs. They’re beneficial in soothing sore muscles in joints, but they often don’t dissolve completely. When salts don’t dissolve, they can cause clogs in your home’s plumbing or in the tank itself. In high concentrations, they can even harm the bacteria in your septic system.
Can bath bombs be septic friendly?
We certainly don’t recommend using bath bombs, but if you can’t stop, try following these tips:
Reduce frequency: Treating yourself to a bath bomb once in a while isn’t the end of the world. Once or twice a month is probably fine, but if you start noticing any plumbing issues, stop using them and call a septic repair company ASAP.
Keep potency low: The more the merrier might be true with having friends over for a dinner party, but that’s far from the case with bath bombs. Large quantities can lead to large septic system complications. Read the product label, and use the right bath-bomb-to-water ratio to avoid complications.
Make sure salts dissolve: If your bath bomb contains Epsom salt or sea salt, make sure they completely dissolve before draining your tub. As we mentioned, leftover salts are a leading cause of clogs and can kill the helpful bacteria in your tank.
Hire our team if you notice any issues
When your septic system acts up, hire our pros at Countryside Construction Inc. to make repairs. With over 40 years of industry experience, you can trust that your system is in good hands when we’re on the job. Call today to schedule an appointment or to learn more about bath bombs and septic systems.
