What Can and Can’t Go Down the Drain in a Septic Home?

What Can Go Down Your Septic Unit

The good news is that there are safe items you can dispose of in moderation without risking damage or emergency septic services.

Human Waste and Toilet Paper

Septic systems are designed to handle toilet paper and human waste, as they break down easily. However, using toilet paper liberally or excessively, as well as purchasing heavily quilted brands that take longer to dissolve, can cause trouble. Always keep an eye on what goes down your toilet and prioritize routine septic cleaning to get ahead of underlying issues.

Water from Household Use

Water from everyday activities like laundry, showers, sinks, and dishwashers ends up in the septic tank. While these systems can handle large volumes of effluent, they can become overwhelmed when water is used irresponsibly. Spacing out these activities goes a long way to prevent overflows and emergency septic tank pumping.

Septic-Safe Cleaning Products

Although some septic cleaning products are labeled “safe” by manufacturers, they can disrupt bacterial balance in the tank. This is often the case when you use products excessively or prefer those with harsh chemicals. Before purchasing septic cleaning products, check the ingredients and consult a professional to ensure proper use while preserving beneficial bacteria.

What Can’t Go Down Your Septic System

A common misconception is that everything labeled flushable is safe for septic systems. Unfortunately, this is not always the case, and some items should be disposed of in a bin.

Wipes

Whether “flushable” or not, wipes should not go down your toilet. Unlike toilet paper, wet wipes do not break down easily, forming blockages that obstruct wastewater flow and cause backflows. If you regularly flush wipes down the toilet, call a professional septic company for maintenance and repairs if necessary.

Grease, Oils, and Fats

Hot grease and oils easily drain when washing and rinsing dirty dishes, but quickly solidify when the temperatures cool. This clogs pipes and reduces capacity, leading to slow drains, backups, and even foul smells down the line. Grease and oils should always go in the trash, keeping your pipes flowing smoothly throughout.

Medication and Pharmaceuticals

While flushing old or expired medications may seem harmless. But it can disrupt bacterial activity in the tank and contaminate groundwater. As mentioned, on-site wastewater systems rely on beneficial bacteria to function optimally. If you dispose of pharmaceuticals down the toilet frequently, it may be time to consider professional septic tank pumping and cleaning.

As a property owner, knowing what can and can’t go down your home’s septic system can make a big difference. Contact Rooter Man Plumbing to learn more about septic maintenance and how you can make the most of your investment.