Many homeowners look for ways to avoid the cost of septic tank pumping by looking for cleaners that do more harm than good. There are many septic tank cleaners in the market that homeowners turn to while trying to avoid a professional septic tank cleaning. Here is a look at some common septic tank cleaners.
Septic Tank Additives
Many septic tank additives claim to be an alternative to septic tank pumping. Apart from organic waste, sewage contains plastics, synthetic fibers, minerals, and solid waste. No septic tank additive can eliminate these materials. The materials accumulate as sludge at the base of your tank and can only be removed through septic pumping.
Biological septic tank additives like natural bacteria, yeasts, and enzymes improve the bacteria in septic tanks. However, healthy tanks have sufficient bacteria to support the processes that treat wastewater. Therefore, adding more bacteria in your septic tank pits bacterial populations against each other, which may be disastrous.
Nevertheless, if your septic system has been destabilized by toxic substances like soaps, cleaning products, pesticides, and disinfectants, bacterial additives can re-establish a healthy balance in the septic system.
Hydrogen Peroxide
This chemical was once popular for septic tank treatment. However, it can degrade soil content. As a result, this affects the efficiency of the drain field. Since hydrogen peroxide affects how your drain field filters and absorbs wastewater, it isn't considered a viable solution for your septic tank system.
Disinfectants
These are used in households to clean bathrooms and kitchens. Disinfectants are capable of killing harmful bacteria that accumulate in these spaces. However, many homeowners use the same disinfectants to clean septic tanks.
Disinfectants have a minimal effect on the groundwater or environment surrounding your tank. The worst disinfectants can do when used in concentrated quantities is to destroy the micro-organisms in your tank. Typically, these micro-organisms recover in a few days. Therefore, there is not much harm done.
Organic Solvents
Solvents like chlorinated hydrocarbons, trichloroethylene, and methylene work as degreasers. As septic tank treatments, they break down oils, fats, and grease at the bottom of your tank.
While these solvents are good at breaking down materials, the solvents don't break down. They leak into your groundwater system and lead to ecological damage. This is why you should not use them to clean your septic tank.
In Conclusion
Septic tank cleaners may go a long way in breaking down waste material. However, they should be used as a short-term solution. Not all septic tank cleaners are good for your septic system. Therefore, consult a septic tank maintenance company regarding the best cleaner for your system. Otherwise, you should have your septic tank pumped after every few years to maintain its efficiency.
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