The septic tank helps to hold and break down wastes. But having a functional septic tank requires a lot of work. You’ll need proper maintenance to keep the unit functioning to capacity.
However, maintaining a clean and sparkling bathroom isn’t an easy task. That’s why most people run away from doing it. But then, keeping the bathroom clean is essential for the health of everyone living in the house.
There are many cleaning agents to use in the bathroom, but most people prefer using bleach in a shocking twist. Since bleach can keep white clothes clean and sparkling, most individuals believe it’s a wise choice for cleaning the bathroom.
But while you’re cleaning your bathroom, remember that your septic tank must have a healthy balance of bacteria, which acts on the solid waste. If your cleaning agent overpowers and eliminates these bacteria, the septic tank won’t function properly.
So, is bleach ideal for your septic tank? Will it kill off the bacteria in the septic tank? We hammered on diverse aspects of this subject. So, keep reading to have firsthand information to make an informed decision.
Can You Use Bleach If You Have a Septic Tank?
Yes, but there’s a catch. Not all types of bleach should travel down the pipes and into your septic tank. So, mind the bleach or chemical product you’re using to clean your bathroom.
You can use simple household bleach to clean your bathroom and help return its sparkling appearance. Keep in mind that this type of bleach wouldn’t affect the bacteria in the septic tank; neither will it affect their activity.
Why would the household bleach be safe in a septic tank?
The answer is not farfetched. The chemicals in these types of bleaches are considerably low in quantities. Thus, they’re not even strong enough or possess the power to unsettle the bacteria in the septic tank.
What bleach is harmful to your septic tank? The types of bleach to avoid are bleaches that boast high strength – strong than what the household bleach has. These types of bleaches are usually powerful. They boast high quantities of chemicals – the active ingredients.
A Handy Tip: Household bleach isn’t harmful to the septic tank. But that doesn’t imply that you should apply it more often. It will make sense if you start using bleaches in moderation.
When you wash your toilet with bleach, several factors would also determine if the product’s chemical could cause harm to the bacteria in the septic tank. One is the amount of bleach used. The second option is the tank’s capacity, including how many times you flush the toilet.
How Much Bleach Can You Use With Septic?
It’s okay to use bleach to wash your toilet. Even when it lands in your septic tank, the chemicals won’t eliminate the bacteria in there. But keep in mind that the volume of bleach used matters a great deal.
If you use too much bleach, you’ll land in trouble. Your septic tank will not function, as it should. And that would be a significant issue for you.
The best advice to anyone is to use a moderate amount of bleach. Now, the big question is; what’s a moderate amount of bleach, like? Is there a specific amount? Yes, there is.
You’ll find that a moderate amount of bleach equals 3/4 of one cup per wash of laundry right there on the Clorox site. In addition, the bleach’s active ingredient, hydrochloride, wears off before landing in the septic tank.
When you use bleach to wash your toilet, hydrochloride will react with the dirt and gem while getting the stains off. And when this happens, the chemical would turn to water and salt as it makes its way into the septic tank.
You may want to ask questions like, “Will all the bleach turn into salt and water?” No! Some might get into the pipe and travel down to the septic tank. But the good news is the ones traveling as bleach will turn to water and salt while traveling down the pipe before finally landing in the septic tank.
A Handy Tip: Bleach can help clean and return your toilet’s attractiveness, but be mindful of the volume of bleach you’re using. A study conducted by Mark Gross indicated that bleach of 1.85 gallons could eliminate the bacteria in a septic tank.
Can You Use Bath Bombs With a Septic Tank?
No, that’s the straightforward answer. Though most bath bomb brands claim their products are safe for septic tanks because it boasts natural ingredient, it doesn’t mean you should ignore reviews and try them. Read reviews to have sound knowledge to make an informed decision.
The primary reason using bath bombs with a septic tank is a wrong decision is because of the ingredients present in it.
Let’s look at why you can’t use bath bombs with a septic tank.
The presence of salt
One of the reasons to avoid bath bombs is the presence of salt. Most of them boast salt that is quite a problem to dissolve. This so-called salt can cause blockage. It can also cling to things like hair and create blockage in your plumbing.
That’s not all. Present in high amounts, the salt present in bath bombs can cause a problem in a septic tank. It can literarily eliminate the bacteria in the septic tank, which isn’t a good thing.
The presence of solids
The best advice is to steer clear of bath bombs that boast solid materials. Examples of these solid materials include confetti, flower petals, and glitters. All these can cause blockage in your septic tank and drainage system.
A Handy Tip: If you’re sold on the idea of using bath bombs that boast solid ingredients, ensure you have a strainer to help prevent the solids from traveling into your septic tank to cause problems for you.
Fats and oils
Oils may be able to travel down the pipe and then land in your septic tank. Then, it might float and accumulate in the scum’s layer. But fats aren’t going to act like that. They can quickly solidify and cause a blockage in your plumbing.
Is Dettol Safe For Septic Tanks?
No, please don’t. The problem with Dettol, Canesten, and a host of other disinfectants is that they don’t easily break down. Thus, they can quickly eliminate the friendly bacteria in the septic tank, which is not a healthy practice.
However, most people may claim that they have used Dettol in the past and nothing happened to their septic tank. But just because nothing happened, doesn’t mean you should continue using Dettol or other strong disinfectants.
The best thing you should do is to start using septic-safe products. You’ll see it boldly written on the product label.
Is Harpic Safe For Septic Tanks?
Harpic is one of those cleaners you can count on if you don’t possess the energy to scrub the toilet to gain those stubborn stains.
Now the big thing is, can you use the Harpic with a septic tank? Well, according to the company’s official website, most of their products are safe to use with the septic tank. But the best advice is not to depend solely on what the company says.
You need to check the product information on the package to know if it’s septic-safe or not. However, if there’s no information stating whether it’s septic-safe, please steer clear of such products.
In general, it only makes sense to use products that are septic-safe. Otherwise, you’ll eliminate the bacteria in your septic tank and disrupt its balance.
Are Long Showers Bad For Septic Systems?
Yes, it’s bad to take long showers, and the reason isn’t farfetched. Don’t forget that septic tanks come in a specific size. And they can hold a particular amount of water according to their unique size.
So, spending long hours in the show can overload your septic tank. And when that happens, you’ll mess up the system.
What is the recommended water usage with a septic tank? Let’s assume your family consists of only four persons. In that case, bathing for half an hour then you won’t have any problem. Your septic tank would be able to handle it.
However, if each member of your family starts spending long hours in the bathroom, coupled with the heavy usage of water for other chores such as dishwashing and laundry, then your septic system would struggle to handle it.
Water pumped into the septic tank shouldn’t be higher than the one pumped out. If it does happen, your septic system will struggle.
So, long showers are not ideal for a septic system. Keep it short and advise everyone in the house to do so.
Conclusion
So, can you make use of bleach with a septic tank? The answer to this question is yes. But there’s a catch. Not all bleaches are conducive for septic tanks. In the same vein, avoid strong bleaches to wipe out the bacteria in the septic tank.
We also provided other critical information bothering on the use of the septic tank. So read and get relevant information to make an informed decision when using your septic tank.