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Don’t Waste Your Money on Septic System Gimmicks
Chances are you have heard you are supposed to flush some kind of additive down the commode regularly when you have a septic system. With a variety of products on the market shelves, how do you know which one works? Which one prevents backup? Which one restores your drainfield? The answer is, probably none of them.
There is no quick fix
I don’t know of a single third-party organization or study that advocates using any type of septic additives. Most studies on their effectiveness come out inconclusive.
Additives do not prevent backups and do not provide an alternative to pumping out your septic tank. In our opinion, these “quick fix” products are a waste of your money and are no replacement for routine maintenance.
What about hydro-jetting or rootering the drainfield?
While it’s no guarantee, this method can temporarily help with the flow of wastewater in the drainfield pipes — but it’s usually not a permanent solution.
Sludge buildup may still be able to push through the perforated holes at the bottom of the pipes, but often it clogs up the gravel around those pipes; if the pipes have roots in them, those roots will eventually grow back.
Also, it’s likely that any attempts to clean the drainfield lines will not reach all of them.
What you can do
If you really, really want to put an additive into your septic system, we suggest yeast as a safe alternative. Since it is something that we ourselves consume, we know it won’t harm the bacteria in the tank.
Learn more about additives and your septic system. Currently facing a septic system problem or want to schedule routine maintenance? Contact us today!