To Flush or Not to Flush?
Clean Earth Septic Service • March 13, 2020
Simple rules for anyone with a septic system
We’ve been in the septic business for over a decade and we’ve dealt with tons of backups – the most common culprit when it comes to major clogs and backups... flushable wipes and paper towels! Yes, “flushable” wipes. Don’t let the labels fool you - there is no such thing as a “flushable” wipe when you have a septic system.
Unlike toilet paper that dissolves quickly as soon as it gets wet, paper towels, baby wipes, cleaning wipes and makeup removing wipes are durable and can take years to break down and dissolve. Don’t believe us? Watch this video to see for yourself or contact us today to schedule your next septic service.
Pretty crazy right? Well, wipes aren’t the only thing you need to watch out for. If you have a septic system it’s important to pay close attention to what you flush on a regular basis. Wipes, paper towels, tissues, balls of hair and feminine products are obvious no-nos that can cause physical clogs and backups. Other items to avoid include chemicals, grease and cleaning products – products that aren’t the always the “obvious” ones.
The reason for this is because your septic system is designed to break down solids and waste with naturally occurring bacteria. When you suddenly introduce harsh chemicals or grease to that environment, your septic tank’s pH can change dramatically, ruining the balance of “healthy” bacteria that keeps your tank working properly.
If you’re not sure if a product or detergent is septic safe, simply check the label. Many toilet paper products have a “septic safe” label or icon. And at the end of the day, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Septic backups are a huge mess to deal with and repairs can add up. If you do run into a problem, however, we can help. Clean Earth Septic Service offers septic pumping in Elmira, Corning, Big Flats, Hector, Watkins, Ithaca, Waverly, and Owego NY areas.
If you have a septic system, here’s a cheat sheet for you! NEVER flush or rinse the following items down the drain:
- Gasoline, oil and other petroleum products
- Cooking grease and oils
- Paint, paint thinner or solvents
- Antibacterial soaps (in large amounts)
- Products with high levels of phosphorous – often found in laundry detergents, cleaning supplies etc.
- Feminine products, makeup removing wipes or baby wipes
- Even those wipes labeled "flushable" should never be flushed
In addition to being careful about what gets flushed, regular septic system maintenance
is the best way to prevent a future septic system backup. We recommend having your septic tank emptied every 2-4 years to ensure things are in good condition and your tank is functioning properly. Our technicians will check your tank, baffles and all septic system components to make sure your tank levels are satisfactory and your drainfield is filtering waste water efficiently. To schedule your next septic pumping in the Twin Tiers region, contact us today!
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