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It Would Be Better Not to Flush These Items Into the Septic Tank
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What items and chemicals would be better NOT flushed down the toilet and into a private septic system? What kinds of items may damage the septic tank or leach fields? Can we dump "just a little bit"? Are condoms, dental floss, or food scraps a problem for the septic system? This document explains how to extend the life of the septic system by being careful about what goes into it.

Citation of this article by reference to this website and brief quotation for the sole purpose of review are permitted. Use of this information at other websites, in books or pamphlets for sale is reserved to the author. Technical review, content suggestions, critique are welcomed and are listed at "References." This document is a chapter of Inspecting, Testing, & Maintaining Residential Septic Systems an online book on septic systems. © Copyright 2008 Daniel Friedman, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use the links at page left to navigate this document or to go to Other Website Topics. Green links at left show where you are in our document & website.

BETTER NOT FLUSH - Stuff which would be better not to flush down a toilet or into the septic system

• Condoms won't clog a pipe but like some other debris, because they are of modest size and are quite flexible, but condoms are (usually) not bio degradable. So we listed condoms, or other latex products such as latex gloves above as "never flush". A condom in the septic tank will probably join other debris in the tank's floating scum layer, and will be removed at the next tank pump-out. Of course, if the septic tank outlet tee baffles are missing, the condom will join other floating debris on its way out to clog the drainfield, so ask your septic pumper to check the condition of the septic tank baffles when the septic tank is next pumped.
• Cotton swabs (Q-tips(R)) have been known to clog a drain or two - not biodegradable, though trivial in volume
• Dental floss - is not biodegradable, though trivial in volume
• Food scraps - increase the solids load in the tank and so may be slow to settle into the sludge layer or scum layer. For more details on the effects of a garbage disposer or grinder on septic systems see GARBAGE GRINDERS.
• Fats, oils, grease - waste or un-wanted cooking oil (other than incidental oils and fats from washing dishes and pots and pans).
• Ground food from a garbage disposer - which adds to the solids load in the septic tank and increases the needed pumping frequency.
• Hair - animal or human hair combings do not biodegrade in septic tanks and can speed clogging of septic filters.
• 
  Laundry detergent - avoid using more than the necessary amount of powdered laundry or dishwasher detergent, or better, use liquid laundry detergent. Excessive amounts of powdered laundry detergent often fail to dissolve in the washing machine.
  
  More detail on the effect of washing machines on septic systems and tips on avoiding problems can be read at WASHING MACHINES
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Tampons - which are basically not biodegradable cotton are advised against in the "Don't Flush" list above. In fact a couple of tampons are not going to clog up a drain line nor ruin the septic tank. However they'll still be there years later when the tank is pumped. In a large household where many of these items may need to be disposed-of, wrapping them in toilet tissue and placing them in the garbage is a better destination.
• Un-wanted cooking oil, cleaners, and the like should not be emptied down your drains. So we listed them above as "never flush".
• Washing machine lint which speeds the clogging of septic systems can be kept out of the septic tank and drainfield by using a washing machine lint filter.

Use links just below or at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.

WHAT CAN GO INTO TOILETS & DRAINS?
NEVER FLUSH INTO SEPTICS
BETTER NOT TO FLUSH
HOUSEHOLD CHEMICALS
OTHER CHEMICALS & DRUGS
CHLORINE IN DRINKING WATER
CHLORINE IN SEPTIC WASTEWATER
DISHWASHERS vs SEPTICS
DRUGS INTO the SEPTIC TANK?
GARBAGE GRINDERS vs SEPTICS
TOILET TISSUE?
WASHING MACHINES
WATER SOFTENERS

More Information on Septic System Diagnosis, Maintenance, & Repair

• The Septic System Information Website home page for this topic
• Septic Systems Inspection, Testing, & Maintenance- online textbook. Detailed how to inspect, maintain, repair information
• The Home Buyer's Guide to Septic Systems


• Cesspools Home Buyer's or Owner's Advice
• Drywells Home Buyer's or Owner's Advice
• Septic Tank Pumping Guide: When, Why, How to pump the septic tank
• Septic Tank Location - How to Find the Septic Tank, how deep will the cover be, how to document its location


• Additives & Chemicals: Septic System Maintenance - Are they even needed? Are they even legal?
• Biomat Formation in the Septic System Drainfield Absorption System - what leads to drain field clogging and expensive drainfield repairs
• Buyer's Guide Home Buyer's Guide to Septic Systems Inspection & Testing - What to Do, Step by Step.
• Cheating on Water Tests - (Chlorine in Wells and Septics) Testing Water for Real Estate Transactions - Water Test Cheating Warnings for Home Buyers and Home Inspectors
• Clogged Drain Diagnosis - is the problem the septic system or the Building drain system?
• What is a Septic System An Engineer's View & Septic System FAQ's
• Contamination in Buildings how to test buildings for bacterial contamination from Sewage and Septic backup, remediation, & references
• Leach Field Inspection ProcedureSeptic Leach Fields - how to inspect and diagnose septic drainfield failures - what causes septic field failure?
• Maintenance: Ten Steps to Keeping a Septic System Working, suggestions from the U.S. EPA, edits and additions by DJF
• Sewage & Septic Backups and what to do about sewage spillage in buildings
• Tank Location - How to Find the Septic Tank, how deep will the cover be, how to document its location
• Tank Pumping Frequency Guide for Septic Tanks: When, How, What to Watch For when pumping or cleaning septic tanks
• Water Usage: Capacity: Determining Needed Septic Capacity - Typical residential water usage for people, appliances, and activities.

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