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.
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.
Many of us recycle plastics, reduce energy usage and save water to do our small part to help out the environment. But what about our wastewater? If your home or business has a septic tank, you may be wondering, “Are septic tanks bad for the planet?”
As a leading septic system installation and maintenance company, we’re here to provide the answer.
Are septic tanks bad for the planet?
Luckily, the answer to this question is no! In fact, your septic system uses far less energy and water to treat wastewater than a water treatment facility, so your septic system is actually far better for the environment than the city sewer system. There’s also a much lower chance of pollution with a septic system than a large-scale water treatment facility.
The only time that your septic system would be bad for the environment is if it starts to malfunction. When that’s the case, wastewater and harmful bacteria can leach out into the groundwater and cause all sorts of problems. The good news is that you can avoid that by following some basic procedures.
Making sure your septic system is eco-friendly
These septic system care steps go a long way in reducing your system’s environmental impact and preventing septic system issues:
Have it inspected: Your septic system should be professionally inspected and maintained at least once a year. Routine maintenance goes a long way in identifying potential problems (like leaks) that could be harming the soil and groundwater.
Pump it on schedule: Depending on its size and usage, your septic tank needs to be pumped once every three to five years. Failing to stay on this schedule can cause the sludge stored inside the tank to leach out. Even if the sludge isn’t leaking out into the ground, it could back up into your home.
Keep records: The more information you have about your septic system, the better. Document any problems you’ve encountered with it, and retain records of every time it’s been pumped, inspected or repaired.
Make repairs when necessary: Be sure to make any repairs as soon as possible. The longer you wait to address an issue, the greater the chance of harming the environment. Delayed repairs also tend to cost more, so it’s in your wallet’s best interest to make fixes early, too.
Be careful when doing laundry: Make sure you’re only using biodegradable detergents when you’re doing laundry. Nonbiodegradable products produce suds that can block your system and lead to leaks. Additionally, watch how frequently you do laundry. Using your washing machine too often has a negative impact on your septic system and the environment.
Is it time to service your septic system?
If it’s time to pump or maintain your septic system, then call our team at Countryside Construction Inc. We’re standing by to provide routine septic system care, make repairs and install new systems. Give us a call today to speak with our team and find out what we can do for you.
If you own a home, you likely understand that there’s a certain amount of maintenance involved with keeping everything functioning and looking nice. You probably mow your lawn, pull weeds and paint your house. But have you ever thought about the proper ways of maintaining your septic system?
When functioning correctly, septic systems offer a crucial service. They take wastewater away from your home and store it safely and sanitarily. But septic systems aren’t indestructible, nor are they garbage cans. Here are some septic system dos and don’ts that are essential to maintaining a healthy septic system.
Do
There are several things you should do to preserve your septic system. What follows is a non-exhaustive list.
Conserve water when you can
Taking this simple step is not only good for the environment, but it’s beneficial to your septic system too. This is because, when you conserve water, it doesn’t overtax the system. You can conserve water by spreading out your laundry loads over multiple days, fixing leaks promptly, using low flow toilets and turning the water off when you brush your teeth.
Have your septic system inspected and pumped regularly
For this, you should contact a licensed septic system contractor. This crucial process is the only way you can remove sludge and grease from your system, and it’s the best way to prolong the life of your septic system. The suggested frequency is every three years, although if your home uses a lot of water, you could have it inspected more frequently.
Know exactly where your septic system and its components are located
You must know the precise location of your septic system and its drain field. This knowledge will be useful to you and any maintenance technicians who perform work on your home. A detailed sketch or map could be a helpful reminder you could use.
Don’t
Here’s an admittedly incomplete list of what you shouldn’t do to your septic system.
Flush certain items
Refrain from using your toilet and sink as garbage cans, because your septic system isn’t equipped to handle every type of waste item. Here are some things you should never flush or put down the sink:
“Flushable” wipes
Diapers
Paint or other harsh chemicals
Kitty litter
Grease or oils from cooking
Medications
Paper towels
Condoms
Cigarette butts
Coffee grounds
Feminine hygiene products
Drive or park vehicles over the septic system or drain field
Your septic system and drain field aren’t meant to have thousands of pounds bearing down on the soil above them, so avoid this to save your septic system.
Plant anything with deep root systems over the septic system or drain field
While you should plant grass over the drain field, planting trees or other flora that have extensive root systems can compromise your drain lines.
Try to fix or access your septic system yourself
Attempting to work on your septic system without professional assistance and the proper permits is not only illegal, but also extremely dangerous. There’s a reason why septic system professionals need licenses, and it’s because inhaling the gases upon entering a septic system can be fatal.
Call for septic system service today
Hopefully these septic system dos and don’ts can help you in maintaining your septic system. If you do ever have problems with it, give Countryside Construction Inc. a call. We have 40 years of industry experience and an excellent reputation, and we’re dedicated to ensuring you and your family have a healthy and functioning wastewater disposal system.
Septic system maintenance isn’t a thought that often crosses a homeowner’s mind. The truth is that they need just as much, if not more, attention as everything else in your home. Below you’ll learn quick and simple tips for how to maintain a septic system, including why it’s so important to schedule inspections.
Practice water conservation
Septic systems are limited in how much wastewater they can hold at any given time. Homeowners can minimize how often they need septic system maintenance by conserving their water usage. Start by looking for areas of the house that use unnecessary amounts of water. Single drops from a leaky faucet can really add up, so replacing old appliances and fixtures is an easy way to cut back on the water that flows into your septic system.
You can also install faucets, showerheads and toilets that are economic in their water usage. Newer models are designed to reduce the flow of water without compromising water pressure. Replacing all the hardware in your house can get expensive, so one thing you can do right away is cut back on how much water fills the washing machine every time you do laundry.
Track what goes down the drain
Another way to maintain a septic system is by deciding what should or should not go down the kitchen sink’s drain. Just because your sink is equipped with a garbage disposal doesn’t mean just anything can go down there! The number one culprit is grease left over from meals. Grease melts into a liquid state when it’s washed down with hot water, and it can stick to the garbage disposal blades and clog the pipes as it cools.
Many foods are difficult to grind in the garbage disposal. Big pieces like fruit pits, melon rinds, chicken bones and other similar foods should go in the trash bin. Even food scraps that are easy to process with a garbage disposal should get tossed whenever possible. The less solid waste you send down the drain, the less often you’ll need septic system maintenance.
Schedule annual inspections
Properly maintaining a septic system doesn’t stop at water conservation and garbage disposals. On top of all these good efforts, homeowners still need to schedule inspections for their septic systems. It’s better to have regular inspections and rectify problems as soon as possible than skip the inspection fees and pay for it later.
Some maintenance needs are likely to be beyond your control. The typical homeowner isn’t trained to remedy problems that crop up in a septic system. If you suspect something’s not right, contact Countryside Construction Inc. right away. We’ll dispatch our friendly team of professionals to your home as soon as possible!
