Septic Treatment or Not?

[davep]

I'm on well and septic system. Have heard many different points of view on whether or not to treat the system with RedX or some other form of additive. I've also heard that it's best to just let the natural forming bacteria do it's job and leave it alone other than having the 2 tanks cleaned out periodically. My area allows garbage disposals on home with septic systems, but I rarely use mine other then to throw an orange/lemon down it periodically to clean it and make it smell better. Never egg shells or green leafy "things", often referred to by my wife as vegetables. Heard both of these are particularly bad as one slows down the bacterial process and the other, egg shells, just don't ever break down and can clog the system.

Any thoughts from people who have done both/either and how it worked out over time? Trying to do the right thing.

thanks, dp

[Wgoodrich]

The bacterial will grow and eat itself much like food in your stomach. Sludge is the byproduct of this digestion in the tank.

It can not be stressed more to have you tank sucked out periodically. There is a major difference in opinions as to how periodically. Either way you put it cleaning your tank say every 5 to 7 years if adequate system will prolong your life expectacy of your septic system.

The chemical additives are not very impressive to my notion. I have watched systems in brooks and crosby soil last 50 years that I remember with the periodic cleaning of the tanks without any additives.

The chemical treetment is a good thing if your bacteria dies for some reason but this is rather rare condition.

Personal opinion maintain your tank sludge so this sludge does not overflow and enter your finger system and you septic if properly installed will out last us both without any additives.

You are correct about your lettuce etc. Any stringy items are very hard for the system do digest. Also cigerette butts are one that does not digest.

If you want to clean you garbage disposal try using plenty of ice from your ice maker. The ice will cut and break loose any sludge built up in your disposal and with plenty of hot water filling your sink the drained while the disposal is running after you chew up your ice will clean your disposal and greatly increase life expectancy of that disposal. If you do the ice trick then the hot water flush while running disposal chances are you disposal will die when the seal around the shaft rots out again over time.

Good Luck

Wg

[davep]

This coming spring I'll be doing my first septic tank clean-out. House is only 2 1/2 years old. Figured to check it after first 3 years and see how it's "maintaining itself". Didn't know about the ice usage. I'll try that out as well for the disposal.

cheers, dp

[Wgoodrich]

Good Luck

Wg

[Anonymous]

In my opinion, the Ridx stuff is more harmful than helpful, but it depends on the product. What this stuff does is it breaks down the solids, which you want to stay in your septic tank, and passes them out to your absorption field, which will eventually plug all the holes in your perforated pipe and cause the field to fail or back up sewage into your septic tank. State of IN reccommends pumping out the solids in the septic tank every 4 years, but that would vary depending on how big your house and septic system are. Obviously, a bigger tank and less people using the system would last longer. Biggest problem item to put into your septic system would be GREASE!!!! Wipe out pans with a paper towel, NEVER drain hamburger or other meat directly into the sinks. Also, Warren is right, no cigarette butts or tampons, or other things that float. They will pass thru your tank and clog the holes in the perforated pipe. Once inspected a repair system where the excavator opened the line between the tank and D-box, was plugged full of condoms! Grandma, home owner, had a nice long talk with her teenage daughter. LOL
hope this helps
BK

[Wgoodrich]

I have just got to say that Guest when speaking of grease being bad for septic tanks, in my opinion it ain't too good on drain pipes either. Now as for the rest of what Guest had to say I can only reply that his opinion is not only on the mark accurate but his way of explaining his thoughts were QUITE COLORFUL to say the least, and I truly feel sorry for granddaughter about now. Ha Ha

I own some apartments that I rent out. I can say that a landlord often learns much more about his renters than he really needed to know when he has to clean out their drain and soil pipes under the houses. YOu would be quite surprised what you see.

BEST ADVICE; If you have to clean out your renters soil pipe, especially by digging it up and cleaning or replacing by hand DO NOT PLAN A LONG LUNCHEON AFTERWARDS. May be a day or so before you feel anymore pangs of hunger ! ! !

I really enjoyed his reply, graphic to say the least.

Wg

[bettykay]

Sorry, i was the guest that replied previously. don't know why my info didn't appear, but then i have been having modem problems and can't remember what computer i was using when i posted my reply.
Bettykay

[Wgoodrich]

BettyK glad to know it was you. I still enjoyed the colorful story tell part. REALLY glad I wasn't the granddaughter. Ha Ha.

Wg