Welcome to Advanced Septic Service

What about "septic system toilet paper?"

What some manufactures of these products are calling "septic approved" or "safe for septic systems" or "ok to use in septic tanks" is really nothing more than 1-ply paper instead of 2 or 3- ply paper. As far as septic systems are concerned, there is absolutely no reason to choose one over another. Toilet paper is probably the fastest degrading material that enters a septic tank. Except in very unusual situations, we rarely see a buildup of paper in tanks.

Our advice: use what you prefer and ignore the sales hype.

However, here is a list of products that should NEVER be flushed into a septic tank

• disposable diapers
• incontinence products
• diaper wipes or 'wipes' of any kind
• feminine hygiene products

These products are manufactured with materials that do not degrade easily or at all, and can cause tremendous problems in septic systems.

What about using a garbage disposal with a septic tank?

Because garbage disposal wastes do not have the benefit of pre-decomposition that other wastes do, they will take somewhat longer to break down in a septic tank. However, unless you are using your garbage disposal like a tree chipper, and grinding up everything you can imagine through it, this is rarely a problem.

Our advice: scrape off pots, pans or plates into a garbage or compost container before approaching the garbage disposal, but don’t be afraid to use your disposal within reason.

Recently we have seen special "septic system garbage disposals" on the market that put an additive into the septic tank while you use it. Although it's an appealing marketing idea, it is really not nescessary, nor is it of any value to the septic system.

Our advice: Save your money, and put it toward pumping your septic tank every 3 years instead.

What about water softener use with septics?

NOTE: The following applies only to water softeners that have an integral salt (sodium or potassium) storage bin that is refilled periodically with softener salt purchased at a store.

Softened water itself – the water produced by a softener for household use – is harmless to septic systems in our experience.

However, the water expelled from the small backwash drain of a softener unit when it automatically regenerates itself can cause many problems. This water is loaded with salts, and these can disrupt the bacterial action in the tank itself, as well as causing hard mineral deposits in the leach lines, greatly slowing their ability to drain into the soil. Another problem we have seen is units that get stuck in their regeneration cycle – often for days at time before the homeowner notices it. When this happens it can literally "flood out" a septic system – and sometimes the house as well.

Our Advice: If you have the type of softener unit with it's own salt tank that automatically regenerates, consider removing the unit's drain from the house sewer system, and set it up to drain separately from the septic system.

What about washing machine use with septics?

Washing machines, when used in moderation, can usually be tolerated by most septic systems. By moderation, we mean no more than two wash loads in 24 hours, and then spaced out at least 12 hours apart. Now, that does not fit the way most people do laundry, which looks more like 5 loads back-to-back on wash day. There is where the problem lies.

Consecutive loads disrupt the tanks' ability to settle and retain fine particles of dirt and silts removed from the clothing. The effect of detergents – which have anti-settling agents in them – makes this even worse. The combined effect causes these particles to be washed through the tank and into the leachfield where they cause clogging of the soil, and eventually, leachfield failure. The sodium in the detergents has a similar effect as water softener salts by causing hard mineral deposits in the leachfield as well. For this reason, unless washing machine use can be carefully controlled, they can be a real problem for septic systems.

Our Advice: If at all possible, drain the washing machine water separately from the septic tank. If this is not possible, we strongly suggest you have a septic effluent filter installed in the tank outlet, and control your washing machine use to the recommendations above.