Septic systems are self-contained underground wastewater treatment systems. If your home isn’t connected to a municipal sewer system, you probably have a septic tank buried in your yard. When you flush your toilet, take a shower, run your dishwasher or do a load of laundry, that water and whatever else you put in there ends up in the septic tank.
If you rely on a septic system to handle your household waste, you probably already know some of the things that should not go down the drain. Regardless of how long you have relied on septic service, we think that a little refresher course might be in order.
Your septic system is able to handle a lot of human waste, but there are certain things it is not equipped to handle, such as tampons, grease, and even baby wipes. Though some of these products may say that they are “flushable”, that does not mean that they will not cause problems in your system. Even flushable wipes, for example, can twist within the pipes, catch onto other materials and form a knot that blocks the system.
Septic systems can handle poop, urine, toilet paper and body soap. They are not meant to be trash cans. Things like condoms, paper towels, pharmaceuticals or paint should never be flushed down your toilet. You also should never put cotton balls or Q-tips down the drain.
Here are examples of things you should never flush or put down the drain because they will make your septic system unhappy:
- Cooking Grease or Oil
- Egg Shells or Other Cooking Waste
- Coffee Grounds
- Paper Towels
- Baby Wipes (Even if Marked “Flushable”)
- Cigarette Butts
- Dental Floss
- Cotton Balls or Q-Tips
- Bandages
- Diapers
- Condoms
- Feminine Hygiene Products
- Bleach
- Pharmaceuticals
- Cat Litter
- Household Chemicals (Gasoline, Motor Oil, Pesticides, Antifreeze, and Paint or Paint Thinners)
Be mindful of what you put down your drain or in your toilet. Depending on your household size and the size of your tank, it is a good idea to have your system pumped out every 2-3 years.
At West Coast Sanitation, we know that you don’t have time to deal with septic problems. If you think that your system has reached capacity, please give us a call at (951) 780-5922 right away. We have professionals ready to answer your questions and get your system working properly again.