Septic Systems: To Flush or Not to Flush?

While owning a home with a septic system requires a little extra maintenance than those hooked up to a public sewer, it doesn’t take a lot of time or effort. Simple steps such as regular tank pumping and using bacterial additives keep septic systems running smoothly and leave you free to think about other things.

Another simple step to maintaining proper function of the septic system is to always be conscious of what you flush down the toilet. Many items marked as “septic safe” are not truly safe for flushing, such as “flushable wipes”. They do not degrade in the tank the same as toilet paper and end up clogging the system.

Regular maintenance and a bit of forethought will prevent clogged drains from pushing waste water back through your pipes or into your yard. Repairing the leech field and replacing septic systems costs an average of $26,000. Take the time now to save yourself the headache (and money!) later.

Here are some of the top items you should NEVER flush, even if the packaging says you can:

• Disposable Diapers
• Any type of cooking oil, fats, or grease
• Chemicals – including those in detergents and other cleaning products. They affect the good bacteria inside the tank and can also leech into the surrounding soil to affect wildlife.
• Kitty Litter
• Flushable Wipes
• Unused Medications
• Women’s Sanitary Products

If in doubt, the best rule of thumb to follow is this: If it’s not human waste or toilet paper, don’t flush it!

For a complete list of unsafe items, please visit our website or contact us. We provide information about proper care and maintenance of your septic system and offer recommendations for safe cleaning products. We are eager to help keep septic systems stress free!

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