What is the best thing to do for your septic system to keep it functional?
Answers:
Rid X
Other answers:
get it pumped out ever 3 years
get it pumped out ever 3 years
you can put ridx in all toliets once every two months and also pour bleach down all drains to break up the build up
Rid-X. Also do not flush anything other than toilet tissue. No Kleenex, paper towel, wipes of any kind and most important tampons. If you follow the above, you should only have to clean about every 5 years depending on the size of your family.
I lived with a septic system for years and never had a problem.
Never put grease down your drains. Wipe out all pans with a paper towel before you wash them. If you don't use Rid x you can flush a pack of yeast down the toilet every month or two. m
Never put Bleach in the Septic system, it kils bacteria, and it works by bacteria- Yeast pak, once in awhile helps stimulate bacteria action, or Ridx, which is the same thing only cost more.
You can use Rid-ex, Bakers Yeast, Sugar, or Bad Hamburger meat. Flush it down the toilet, any of the above, about once every two months or so. A septic tank is a living organism and must be fed regularly. Try to cut back on detergents as much as possible since they kill the "bugs" in the system.
I've lived in my home for 12 years and do not have septic problems. I use yeast about every 6 months and never/never put grease down the drains. If you don't have an outside grease trap think of installing one. That might do the trick and you wouldn't have to be so careful with what goes down your kitchen drain. The trap is installed right outside the kitchen, underground, and all waste water travels through it.
You might also consider running a gray water line off the trap to water plants/lawns.
Use the woods-----------just kidding. A plumber once told me to never use Rid-X as it would harden up the "stuff" in the lines. You should have it pumped every few years and don't put anything but toilet tissue in it, regardless of what the box says on it. Also, if you can get your washer water directed elsewhere it will help keep the bleaches and cleansers out of it to keep the bacteria in balance. Never let food go down your drain. You can buy little screens for your kitchen sink drain. Also, buy toilet tissue that says it's safe for the system. (Charmin)
My first choice is a product called Septi Free. If my local supplier (Menards Home Improvement store) is out of it I take Rid X. Both are microbial activators. Use it as suggested on the container or even a bit more often if heavy flows etc.
Some say to never use bleech. We use bleech in laundry just as though we were hooked up to a city sanitary sewer and have never had a problem.
In fact I had to chuckle when we received a post card from a pump out service a few weeks ago that said it has been 22 years since they last pumped out the septic tank.
No need to if you do the preventive measures necessary to keep the organisms active, healthy and working for you.
Good luck
Beans...eat lots of beans...
Many of the answers are great EXCEPT the one suggesting using bleach NEVER USE BLEACH - kills the bacteria which actually keep your septic functioning.
The type of toilet paper you use will also effect it's ability to perform to the maximum. Plain old Scott Tissue is the best. None of these scented/soft/pillow papers, they'll do you a disservice.
You can also have your leach line or if you what to call them your distribution line jetted out with jetter ask Roto Rooter Sewer Co.and that with help drain the water out of the tank.