SEPTIC GUIDES FOR HOMEOWNERS
What Not to Put in Your Septic System
Flush only human waste and toilet paper. Scrape food into the trash or compost before washing dishes. Your septic tank gives bacteria time to break down some waste and holds back solids so they stay out of the drainfield. Wipes, grease, and food scraps can build up faster than the system can handle them. EPA guide to septic care
Why wipes cause so much trouble
Many wet wipes are made from a sheet of fibers that can include polyester, a type of plastic. Some wipes labeled flushable also contain synthetic fibers. Septic bacteria don’t break down those plastic fibers the way they break down some of the organic waste in the tank. A wipe can clear the toilet and still cause trouble farther down the line. Put baby wipes, cleaning wipes, and wipes labeled flushable in the trash. Study of fibers in commercial wipes · What not to flush
The fibers can tangle like Velcro. As wipes fray, loose fibers can catch on other wipes, hair, and debris. Over time, they can form a large, rag-like lump. A pumping visit is an opportunity to remove that buildup. A tightly tangled mass may need to be pulled out separately if it won’t pass through the pumping hose. Research on wipe snagging and buildup
- In an aeration system: If wipes or stringy debris reach the aeration chamber, they can wrap around a rotating aerator shaft. That can interfere with operation and may damage the unit if it keeps running while fouled. If the unit alarms or starts making an unusual noise, have it checked. Norweco’s service instructions include checking the chamber for fibers and clearing debris from the aspirator shaft. Norweco operation and maintenance manual
- At the drainfield: If wipes or fragments get past the tank outlet, they can snag in downstream piping and restrict flow. Other solids that travel with them can also clog distribution pipes and reduce how well the soil absorbs wastewater. An outlet filter helps protect the field, but it needs to be seated correctly and cleaned when needed. EPA guidance on septic system problems · Effluent Filter Guide
Scrape plates before loading the dishwasher
A dishwasher is fine to use with a septic system. Scrape off large food particles before loading it, and wipe excess grease from pans before washing. Septic bacteria can digest some food, but larger pieces and tough plant material can take longer to break down. Grinding scraps in a garbage disposal makes the pieces smaller, but the solids still go into the tank. More food waste can mean faster sludge and scum buildup. EPA kitchen guide · Guidance on food waste and septic tanks
Watch for pepper and tomato skins, bean skins or pods, seeds, and other tough scraps. In our service work, we sometimes see light scraps floating in the tank or caught on the effluent filter. These pieces can stay intact long enough to reach the outlet. If enough collects on the filter, it can slow the flow out of the tank. Put the scraps in the trash or compost and use a sink strainer to catch what’s left.
A quick guide to what stays out
- Wipes, paper towels, diapers, and menstrual products
- Put them in the trash.
- Dental floss, cotton swabs, and other stringy debris
- Put them in the trash. They can catch on pipes and equipment.
- Cooking grease, oil, and fat
- Let grease cool, then put it in a container for the trash. Wipe out greasy pans before washing.
- Coffee grounds, eggshells, peels, and food scraps
- Use the trash or compost where appropriate. Catch small scraps with a sink strainer.
- Paint, solvents, pesticides, and leftover chemicals
- Use your local household hazardous waste program. Keep them out of sinks and toilets.
Several drains slowing down, a septic alarm, or a filter that keeps plugging? Call Moore’s Septic Services at 740-415-7760. Tell us what you’re seeing so we can help you figure out what to have checked.